MICHIGAN   GEOLOGICAL   AND   BIOLOGICAT    -TtrveY 

Publicatiou   lO. 
Biologrical  Series  3. 


THE  HERPETOLOGY  OF  MICHIGAN 


nv 


ALEXANDER  G.  RUTHVEN, 
CRYSTAL  THOMPSON  AND   HELEN  THOMPSON 


MEMORANDA  TOWARDS  A 
BIBLIOGRAPHY  OF  THE  ARCHAEOLOGY 

OF  MICHIGAN 


BY 


HARLAN  I.  SMITH 


PREPARED    UNDER   THE    DIRECTIOK    OF 

ALEXANDER  G.  RUThVeN 

CHIEF    NATURALIST 


QHins 

M5 
A3 
no .  3 


.ISHED  AS  A   PART  OF  THE  ANNUAL  REPORT  OF  THE   BOARD  OF 
GEOLOGICAL  SURVEY  FOR   1911 


LANSING,  MICHIGAN 
WYNKOOP   HALLENBECK  CRAWFOKP  ('.^ 

1912 


cTvTT?    T'DivT-^rpg 


®l|p  i.  B.  'Mi  2jtbrara 


5forll|  (Earoltna  &tate  Hmtrerattg 

QH105 
M5 
A3 
no  .3 


THIS  BOOK  IS  DUE  ON  THE  DATE 
INDICATED  BELOW  AND  IS  SUB- 
JECT TO  AN  OVERDUE  FINE  AS 
POSTED  AT  THE  CIRCULATION 
DESK. 


MICHIGAN   GEOLOGICAL   AND   BIOLOGICAL   SURVEY 

Publication  10. 
Biological  Series  3. 


THE  HERPETOLOGY  OF  MICHIGAN 


BY 


ALEXANDER  G.  RUTHVEN, 
CRYSTAL  THOMPSON  AND   HELEN  THOMPSON 


MEMORANDA  TOWARDS  A 
BIBLIOGRAPHY  OF  THE  ARCHAEOLOGY 

OF  MICHIGAN 


BY 


HARLAN  I.  SMITH 


PREPARED    UNDER   THE    DIRECTION    OF 

ALEXANDER  G.  RUTHVEN 

CHIEF    NATURALIST 


PUBLISHED  AS  A  PART  OF  THE  ANNUAL  REPORT  OF  THE  BOARD  OF 

GEOLOGICAL  SURVEY  FOR   1911 


LANSING,   MICHIGAN 
WYNKOOP  HALLENBECK  CRAWFORD  CO.,  STATE  PRINTERS 

1912 


BOARD    OF    GEOLOGICAL   AND   BIOLOG- 
ICAL SURVEY. 

1912. 


EX  officio: 


The  Governor  of  the  State^ 
HON.  CHASE  S.  OSBORN,  President. 


J 


The  Superintendent  of  Public  Instruction^ 
HON.   L.   L.   WRIGHT,   Secretary. 

The  President  of  the  State  Board  of  Education^ 
HON.  D.  M.  FERRY,  Junior. 


scientific  advisers. 

Geologists. — Dr.  L.  L.  Hubbard,  Houghton;  Prof.  W.  H.  Hobbs, 
Ann  Arbor;  Prof.  Wm.  H.  Sherzer,  Ypsilanti. 

Botanists. — Prof.  E.  A.  Bessey,  East  Lansing;  Prof.  F.  C.  New- 
combe,  Ann  Arbor. 

Zoologists. — Prof.  W.  B.  Barrows,  East  Lansing ;  Prof.  J.  Reighard, 
Ann  Arbor;  Dr.  Bryant  Walker,  Detroit. 


556J89 


LETTER  OF  TRANSMITTAL. 

To  the  Honorable  the  Board  of  Geological  and  Biological  Survey 
of  the  State  of  Michigan: 

Governor  Chase  S.  Osborn,  President. 
Hon.  D.  M.  Ferry,  Jr.  Vice  President. 
Hon.  L.  L.  Wright,  Secretary. 

Gentlemen : — I  beg  to  present  herewith  as  a  part  of  the  report 
for  1911  of  the  Board  of  Geological  and  Biological  Survey,  Publica- 
tion No.  10,  being  a  contribution  to  the  biological  survey  of  the 
state  authorized  by  Act  No.  250  of  the  Session  of  1905. 

Yery  respectfully, 

R.  C.  ALLEN, 

Director. 

Ann  xA-rbor,  Mich.,  October  1,  1911. 

R.  C.  Allen^  State  Geologist,  Lansing,  Michigan: 

Sir : — I  transmit  herewith  a  report  upon  the  amphibians  and  rep- 
tiles of  Michigan,  prepared  under  my  direction,  to  form  a  part  of 
the  series  of  monographs  on  Michigan  forms  that  the  biological 
division  proposes  to  issue,  and  a  bibliography  of  Michigan  arch- 
aeology compiled  by  Mr.  Harlan  I.  Smith  of  the  Victoria  Memorial 
Museum.  According  to  our  plan  for  the  series,  the  papers  in  this 
report  attempt  to  summarize  our  present  knowledge  of  the  subjects 
treated  and  in  such  a  way  that  the  results  may  be  used  by  teachers 
and  local  naturalists  and  archaeologists. 

Respectfully, 

ALEXANDER  G.  RUTHVEN, 

Chief  Naturalist. 


CONTENTS. 

Page 

The  Herpetology  of  Michigan H 

General  Introduction,  by  Alexander  G.  Ruthven 11 

The  Amphibians  of  Michigan,  by  Crystal  Thompson  and  Helen  Thompson 13 

Introduction 13 

Literature 13 

Methods  of  Study 16 

Methods  of  Collecting  and  Preserving  Specimens 18 

Collecting 18 

Keeping  Live  Material .^ 19 

Preservation  of  Specimens 19 

Description  of  Species 20 

Key  to  Michigan  Amphibia 20 

Necturus  maculosus 23 

Ambystoma  tigrinum 26 

Ambystoma  punctatum 28 

Ambystoma  jeffersonianum 30 

Plethodon  erythronotus 32 

Hemidadylium  scutatum 34 

Diemictylus  viridescens 36 

Bufo  americanus 39 

Hyla  versicolor 41 

Hyla  pickeringii 43 

Acris  gryllus 45 

Chorophilus  nigritus 47 

Rana  pipiens 49 

Rana  palustris 51 

Rana  clamitans 53 

Rana  cantabrigensis 55 

Rana  septentrionalis 57 

Rana  catesbeana 59 

Glossary 61 

The  Reptiles  of  Michigan,  by  Alexander  G.  Ruthven 63 

Introduction 63 

Lit  ^rature 63 

Methods  of  Study 67 

Methods  of  Collecting  and  Preserving  Specimens 74 

Collecting 74 

Cages 74 

Preservation  of  Specimens 75 

Description  of  Michigan  Reptiles 76 

Class  Reptilia 76 

Keys  to  the  Orders  and  S.uborders  of  Michigan  Reptiles 77 

Order  Squamata — Suborder  Sauria  (Lizards) 77 

Key  to  the  Genera  and  Species  of  Michigan  Lizards 77 

Eumeces  quinqidhneatus 77 

Order  Squamata — Suborder  Serpentes  (Snakes) 81 

Key  to  the  Snakes  of  Michigan 81 

Storeria  dekayi 83 

Storeria  occipitomaculala 85 

Heterodon  platyrhinu< 87 

Elaphe  obsoletus 90 

Elaphe  vulpinus 93 

Natrix  sipedon 95 

Regi  a  lebcris 98 

Clonophis  kirtlandii 100 

Liopeltis  vernalis 102 

Diadophis  pundatus 104 

Bascanion  constridor 107 

Lampropeliis  doliatus  triangulus 110 


8  CONTEXTS. 

Page 

Thamnophis  saurihis 113 

Thamnophis  butlerii 116 

Thmnnophis  sirtalis 119 

Sistrurus  catenatus 124 

Order  Testudinata  (Turtles) 128 

Key  to  the  Genera  and  Species  of  Michigan  Turtles 128 

Platypeltis  spinifera 129 

Chelydra  serpentina 133 

Kinostemon  odoratum 137 

Chrysemys  cinerea 141 

Chrysemys  belli 143 

Clemmys  guttata 147 

Graptemys  geographica 150 

Emydoidea  l)landingii 153 

Terrapene  Carolina ^ 155 

Glossary   159 

General  Bibliography 1 62 

Memoranda  towards  a  Bibliography  of  the  Archaeology  of  Michigan,  by  Harlan  I.  Smith .  167 


LIST  OF  ILLUSTRATIONS. 

FIGURES. 

1.  Diagram  of  mouth  of  frog  to  show  position  of  teeth 17 

2.  Diagram  of  mouth  of  salamander  to  show  position  of  teeth 17 

3.  Distribution  of  Nedurus  maculostis 25 

4.  Distribution  of  Ambystoma  tigrinum 27 

5.  Distribution  of  Ambystoma  punctatum 29 

6.  Distribution  of  Ambystoma  jeffersonianum 31 

7.  Distribution  of  Plethodon  erythronotus 33 

8.  Distribution  of  Hemidadylium  scutatum, 35 

9.  Distribution  of  Dieviidylus  viridescens 38 

10.  Distribution  of  Bufo  americanus 40 

11.  Distribution  of  Hyla  versicolor 42 

12.  Distribution  of  Hyla  pickeringii 44 

13.  Distribution  of  Acris  gryllus 46 

14.  Distribution  of  Chorophilus  nigritus 48 

15.  Distribution  of  Rana  pipiens 50 

16.  Distribution  of  Rana  palustris 52 

17.  Distribution  of  Rana  clamitans 55 

18.  Distribution  of  Rana  cantabrigensis 56 

19.  Distribution  of  Rajia  septentrionalis 58 

20.  Distribution  of  Rana  catesbeana 60 

21.  Head  of  snake,  side  view,  to  show  arrangement  of  scales 68 

22.  Head  of  snake,  top  view,  to  show  arrangement  of  scales 68 

23.  Scales  on  the  body  of  a  snake 68 

24.  Carapace  of  Emydoidea  blandingii  to  show  position  of  plates 70 

25.  Plastron  of  Emydoidea  blandingii  to  show  position  of  plates 71 

26.  Plastron  of  Chelydra  serpe^itina 72 

27.  Plastron  of  Kinosternon  odoratum 73 

28.  Distribution  of  Evmeces  quinquilineatus 80 

29.  Distribution  of  Storeria  dekayi 84 

30.  Distribution  of  Storeria  occipitomaculata 86 

31.  Distribution  of  Heterodon  platyrhinus 88 

32.  Distribution  of  Elaphe  obsjletus 91 

33.  Distribution  of  Elaphe  vulpinus 94 

34.  Distribution  of  A^atrix  sipedon 97 

35.  Distribution  of  Regina  leberis 99 

36.  Distribution  of  Clonophis  kirtlandii -. 101 

37.  Distribution  of  Liopeltis  vernalis 103 

38.  Distribution  of  Diadophis  punctata 106 

39.  Distribution  of  Bascanion  constrictor 109 


CONTENTS.  9 

Page 

40.  Distribution  of  Lampropeltis  doliatus  triangulus 112 

41.  Distribution  of  Thamnophis  sauritus 114 

42.  Distribution  of  Thamnophis  butleri 118 

43.  Distribution  of  Thamnophis  sirtalis 123 

44.  Distribution  of  Sistrurus  catenatus 127 

45.  Distributioi;  of  Platypeltis  sphiifera 132 

46.  Distribution  of  Chdydra  serpentina 136 

47.  Distribution  of  Kinosternon  odoratum 139 

48.  Distribution  of  Chrysemys  cinerea 142 

49.  Distribution  of  Chrysemys  belli 144 

50.  Plastron  of  Chrysemys  cinerea 145 

51.  Plastron  of  Chrysemys  belli 146 

52.  Distribution  of  Clemmys  gxdtata 149 

53.  Distribution  of  Graptemys  geographica 152 

54.  Distribution  of  Emydoidea  blandingii 154 

55.  Distribution  of  Terrapene  Carolina 158 

PLATES. 

I.  Hemidactylium  scutatum,  Plethodon  erythronotus,  Necturus  maculosus  and  eggs  of 

Dieniictylus    viridescens 160 

II.  a.     Amby stoma  jeffersonianuni,  Diemictylus  viridescens,  Amby stoma  tigrinum  and 

A .  pimctatum 1 60 

b.     Plethodon  erythrrnotus  and  eggs 160 

III.  a.     Bufo  americanus 160 

b.     Hyla  versicolor  and  H.  pickeringii 160 

IV.  a.     Chorophilus  nigritus  and  Rana  cjntabrigensis 160 

b.     Ra7ia  palustiis  and  R.  pipiens 160 

V.  Rana  clamitans 160 

VI.  Chelydra  serpentina,  Graptemys  geographica,  Thamnophis    sauritus    and    Elaphe 

obsoletus 160 

VII.   Terrapene  Carolina,  Platypeltis  spinifera,  Emydoidea  blandingii,  Clemmys  guttata, 

Chrysemys  cinerea  and  Kinosternon  odoratum 160 

VIII.  Nest  and  eggs  of  Eumeces  quinquilineatus. . 160 

IX.  a.     Elaphe  vulpinus 1 60 

b.     Heterodon  platyrhinus 160 

X.  Bascanion  coristrictoi-  on  a  limb  ten  feet  from  the  ground 160 

Photos  taken  near  Hamburg,  Livingston  County,  by  Erail  Body. 

XI.  a.     Platypeltis  spinifera 160 

b.     Sistrurus  catenatus ". 160 

XII.    Thaynnophis  sirtalis 160 

XIII.  a.     White's  Woods  near  Ann  Arbor.     Habitat  of  Rana  pipiens,  R.  cantabrigen- 

sis,  R.  palustris,  R.  clamitans,   Chorophilus  nigritus,  Acris  gryllus,  Hyla  pick- 
eringii,   Diemictylus  viridescens,    Bufo  americanus,  Ambystonia  tigrinum,    A. 

punctatum,  Thamnophis  sirtalis  and  Lampropeltis  doliatus  triangulus 160 

b.     Margin  of  pond  in  White's  Woods  near  Ann  Arbor.     Habitat  of  Diemic- 
tylus viridescens 160 

XIV.  a.     Pond  south  of  Cassopolis.     Habitat  of  Rana  pipiens 160 

b.     Shore  of  Charity  Island,  Saginaw  Bay.     Habitat  of  Ambystoma  jeffersonia- 

num 160 

XV.  a.     Chri.stiann  Creek,  Cass  County.     Habitat  of  Rana  catesbeana 160 

b.     Pine  barrens  at  Port  Austin.     Habitat  of  Hyla  versicolor  and  Heterodon 

platyrhinus 160 

XVI.  a.     Carp    River,    Ontonagon    County.     Habitat    of    Rana   septentrionalis    and 

Chrysemys  bellii 1 60 

XVII.  a.     Woods  of  Charity  Island.     Habitat   of   Laupropeltis  doliatus  triangulus. 
b.     Decaying  log  in   woods  at    Port   Austin.     Breeding   place   of   Plethodon 

erythronotus 164 

XVIII.  a.     Pond  near    Geddes,  Washtenaw  County.    Habitat  of    Rana  palustris  and 

R.  clamitans 166 

b.     Undergrowth  in  woods  near  Port  Austin.    Habitat  of  Plethodon  erythronotus 
XIX.  Moss-covered  stumps  in  Cady's  Woods  south  of  Ann  Arbor.    Habitat  of  Hemi- 
dactylium scutatum 168 

XX.  General  view  in  woods  near  Port  Austin.     Habitat  of  Plethodon  erythronotus  170 


THE  HERPETOLOGY  OF  MICHIGAN. 

GENERAL  INTRODUCTION. 

BY   ALEXANDER  G.    RUTHVEN. 

In  view  of  the  geographical  situation  of  Michigan,  it  miglit  be 
expected  that  its  reptile  and  amphibian  faunas  would  by  this  time 
be  at  least  as  well  known  as  those  of  other  states  east  of  the 
Mississippi  River.  As  it  is  our  knowledge  of  the  status  of  these 
groups  in  the  state  is  astonishingly  meager.  It  is  true  that  all  of 
the  species  known  to  occur  in  the  state  are  well  known  to  herpe- 
tologists,  as  they  are,  without  exception,  forms  that  occur  com- 
monly elsewhere  in  eastern  North  America,  but  of  the  actual  num- 
ber of  forms  that  occur  within  our  limits  and  the  distribution, 
habits  and  variations  of  these  we  have  as  yet  most  inadequate  data. 
Furthermore,  there  are  practically  no  general  works  on  the  amphi- 
bians and  reptiles  of  the  state  for  the  use  of  students  and  other 
persons  interested  in  natural  history. 

Recognizing  the  need  of  a  summary  of  the  herpetology  of  Michi- 
gan the  survey  set  aside  out  of  the  appropriation  for  1907,  |250.00 
for  the  preparation  of  a  work  on  the  reptiles  of  Michigan  and  out 
of  the  appropriation  for  1911,  |200.00  for  the  preparation  of  a  re- 
port on  the  amphibians  of  the  state.  The  writer  took  personal 
charge  of  the  reptile  work,  and  with  the  appropriation  engaged 
Miss  Frances  Dunbar,  assistant  in  zoology  in  the  University  of 
Michigan,  to  assist  him.  The  second  appropriation  was  given  to 
Miss  Crystal  Thompson  and  Miss  Helen  Thompson,  who  have  had 
charge  of  the  amphibian  work  under  the  direction  of  the  writer. 

In  the  pursuit  of  the  work  two  ideas  have  been  kept  in  mind: 
first,  to  make  the  results  of  genuine  scientific  value  as  a  summary 
of  our  knowledge  of  the  status  of  the  groups  in  the  state,  and, 
second,  to  present  the  results  in  such  form  that  the}^  may  be  readily 
grasped  by  students  and  teachers  and  used  as  a  reference  work  in 
the  schools  of  the  state.  In  order  to  place  Michigan  herpetology 
on  a  firm  basis  only  those  species  are  included  (a)  of  which  the 
writers  have  examined  specimens^  from  authentic  Michigan  local- 


1  All  specimens  refeired  to  in  this  report  are  in  the  University  of  Michigan  Museum  of  Nat- 
ural History  unless  otherwise  stated. 


12  HERPETOLOGY    OF    MICHIGAN. 

ities,  or  (b)  of  which  specimens  have  been  examined  by  competent 
authorities,  or  (c)  that  have  been  reported  to  us  by  reliable  observ- 
ers who  could  unmistakably  describe  them.  We  have  rigidl}^  ex- 
cluded all  records  by  persons  who  possibly  did  not  know  the  forms 
in  question.  It  is  believed,  therefore,  that  the  work  is  reliable  as 
far  as  it  goes,  and,  altho  it  is  of  course  incomplete,  for  there  are 
large  areas  in  the  state  from  Avhich  no  or  only  a  few  records  have 
been  obtained,  we  trust  that  it  will  serve  as  a  basis  for  future  work 
and  as  an  incentive  to  further  investigation.  It  should  be  added 
that  all  descriptions  of  species  are  based  on  Michigan  specimens 

unless  othei^wise  stated. 

Januarv  1,  1912. 


THE  AMPHIBIANS  OF  MICHIGAN. 

BY    CRYSTAL    THOMTSON    AND    HELEN    THOMPSON. 

INTRODUCTION. 

One  of  the  greatest  difipiciilties  encountered  by  the  general  student 
when  he  attempts  the  study  of  Michigan  amphibians  is  the  lack  of 
a  general  work  on  the  subject.  Many  papers  have  been  published, 
but  these  are  principally  local  lists  and  are  so  widely  scattered  that 
they  are  not  generally  available.  The  general  books  on  the  group 
are  quite  adequate  for  the  determination  of  species,  but  they  do 
not,  as  a  rule,  give  the  correct  distribution  of  the  forms  in  the 
state,  so  that,  aside  from  the  disadvantage  of  having  to  deal  with 
many  more  forms  in  the  keys  than  we  have  within  our  limits,  the 
further  objection  to  their  use  is  that  one  can  scarcely  tell  from 
them  what  species  to  expect  in  any  region. 

It  is  the  purpose  of  this  paper  to  present  in  a  concise  and  con- 
venient form  the  present  knowledge  of  the  amphibian  fauna  of 
Michigan.  The  work  is  necessarily  far  from  complete  because  of  the 
lack  of  data  from  many  parts  of  the  state,  but  it  is  hoped  that  it 
will  prove  of  assistance  to  students.  It  should  also  serve  to  arouse 
an  interest  in  this  group  of  vertebrates  that  will  result  in  the  ac- 
cumulation of  data  on  the  intrastate  distribution  of  the  species, 
particularly  as  an  effort  has  been  made  to  show  just  how  much  in- 
formation is  at  hand  for  each  section. 

LITERATURE. 

The  published  papers  that  deal  either  entirely  with  Michigan 
amphibians,  or  that  include  definite  records  for  Michigan  are  as 
follows : 

1.  Sager,  Abram.  Report  to  the  State  Geologist.  Senate  Doc, 
State  of  Michigan,  1839,  294-305.  Includes  a  catalogue  of  the  am- 
phibians of  the  state.  The  following  sjrecies  are  listed :  Bufo 
musicus  [americaniis) ,  Eyta  versicolor,  Rana  clamitans,  Rana 
halecina  {pipiens),  Rana  palustris,  Rana  sylvatica,  Rana  grijllus 
[Acris  grylhis) ,  Salamandra  symetrica  (Diemictylus  viridescens) , 


14  HERPETOLOGY    OF    MICHIGAN. 

Salamandra  cinera  {Pletliodon  erpthronotus) ,  Menohranches  latera- 
lis  (Necturus  maculosus). 

2.  Holbrook,  John  Edwards.  North  American  Herpetology,  Vol. 
IV,  1842.  Holbrook  states,  on  the  authority  of  Dr.  Kirtland,  that 
Rana  sylvatica  is  common  in  the  woods  of  Michigan. 

3.  Miles,  M.  A  Catalogue  of  the  Mammals,  Birds,  Reptiles  and 
Molluscs  of  Michigan.  First  Biennial  Report  of  the  Geological  Sur- 
vey of  Michigan,  1861.  This,  as  the  name  implies,  is  merely  a  cata- 
logue of  the  species  supposed  to  occur  in  Michigan.  The  list  of 
amphibians  includes:  Biifo  americanus,  Acris  orepitans  {grylliis), 
Eyla  versicolor,  Eyla  pickermgii,  Helocaetes  triseriatus  {Cliorophi- 
his  nigritus),  Rana  cateshearm,  Rana  fontinali^  {clamitans),  Rana 
pipiens,  Rana  palustris,  Rana  sylvatica,  Amhystoma  punctatum, 
Aniby stoma  luridum  (tigrinum),  Aml)ystoma  laterale  {Jefferson- 
ianum),  Diemictylus  viridescens,  Pletliodon  cinereus,  Necturus 
lateralis  {maculosus) .  There  are  a  few  footnote  references  to  local- 
ities. 

4.  Milner,  James  W.  Report  on  the  Fisheries  of  the  Great 
Lakes.  Report  of  the  U.  S.  Fish  Commission,  1872-3.  Milner  re- 
ports Necturus  from  Grand  Haven,  Ecorse  and  the  Detroit  River. 

5.  Smith,  W.  H.  The  Tailed  Amphibians,  including  the  Caecil- 
ians;  A  Thesis  presented  to  the  Faculty  of  Michigan  University, 
1877.  Descriptions  are  written  of  the  specimens  in  the  University 
of  Michigan  Museum.    In  no  case  is  the  specific  locality  given. 

6.  Smith,  W.  H.  Catalogue  of  the  Reptilia  and  Amphibia  of 
Michigan.  Supplement  to  Science  News,  1879.  Under  Amphibia 
Smith  lists:  Rana  lialecina  {pipiens),  Rana  palustris,  Rana  tem- 
poraria  var.  sylvatica,  Rana  clamitans,  Rana  cateshyana,  Bufo 
lentiginosus,  Eyla  versicolor,  Eyla  pickeringii,  Chorophihis  triseri- 
atus, Acris  gryllus  var.  crepitans,  Plethodon  erythronotus,  Pletlio- 
don erythronotus  var.  cine^^eus,  Notophthalmus  viridescens  {Diemic- 
tyhis  viridescens),  Amhystoma  punctatum,  Am'bystoma  opacum, 
Amhystotna  tigrinum,  Aml)y  stoma  jeffersonianum  and  Meno 
hranchus  lateralis  {Necturus  tnaculosus).  The  species  known  to 
occur  at  Ann  Arbor  are  starred. 

7.  Smith,  W.  H.  Report  on  the  Amphibians  and  Reptiles  of 
Ohio.  Report  of  the  Geological  Survey  of  Ohio,  Vol.  IV,  1882. 
Mentions  Plethodon  erythronotus,  Amhystoma  tigrinum  and  Amhy- 
stoma opacum  as  coming  from  Ann  Arbor. 

8.  Cope,  E.  D.  Batrachia  of  North  America.  Bulletin  34,  U. 
S.  National  Museum,  1889.  Specimens  of  Necturus  maculosus, 
Amhystoma  tigrinum,  Plethodon  cinereus,    Plethodon    glutinosus, 


AMPHIBIANS.  15 

Rana  clamitans  and  Rana  palustris  are  listed  from  Michigan. 

9.  Kirseli,  Philip  H.  A  Report  on  the  Investigations  in  the 
Maumee  River  Basin  during  the  summer  of  1893.  Bulletin  U.  S. 
Fish  Commission,  Vol.  XIV,  1894.  In  the  list  of  amphibians  ob- 
served in  the  Maumee  River  Basin,  Rana  syivatica  and  Rana 
clamitans  are  recorded  from  near  Hudson,  Mich. 

10.  Clark,  H.  L.  Notes  on  the  Batrachians  and  Reptiles  of 
Eaton  Countj^  Fourth  Ann.  Report  Michigan  Academy  of  Science, 
1902.  This  list  includes  the  species  found  in  Eaton  County  by  the 
writer  and  those  reported  to  him  b}^  reliable  observers. 

11.  Ruthven,  Alexander  G.  Notes  on  the  Molluscs,  Reptiles  and 
Amphibans  of  Ontonagon  County,  Michigan.  Sixth  Ann.  Report 
Michigan  Academy  of  Science,  1904.  Records  the  amphibians  col- 
lected by  the  writer  in  Ontonagon  County. 

12.  Ruthven,  Alexander  G.  The  Cold-Blooded  Vertebrates  of 
the  Porcupine  Mountains  and  Isle  Royale,  Michigan.  Ann.  Report 
of  the  Geological  Survey  of  Michigan,  1905.  The  list  of  amphibians 
includes  all  of  the  data  "available  to  the  author  on  the  occurrence  of 
these  animals  in  the  Northern  Peninsula." 

13.  Clark,  H.  L.  A  Preliminary  List  of  the  Amphibia  and  Rep- 
tilia  of  Michigan.  Seventh  Ann.  Report  Michigan  Academy  of 
Science,  1905.  A  list  of  amphibians  whose  presence  in  the  state 
"is  vouched  for  by  at  least  one  of  the  writers"  (M.  Gibbs,  F.  N. 
Notestein,  H.  L.  Clark),  together  with  the  localities  from  which 
records  were  obtained.  It  includes  in  the  bona  fide  list;  Nectiirus 
maculosus,  Amhystoma  maculatum  {punctatum),  Amhystoma  tigri- 
nuni,  Amhystoma  jeffersonAanum,  Hemidactylium  sciitatum,  Pletho- 
don  cinereus  and  P.  cinerens  erythonotiis ,  Pletliodon  glutinosus, 
Diemictylus  viridescens,  Bufo  lentiginosus  americanus,  Acris 
gryllns,  ChoropMlus  nigritus  triseriatus,  Hyla  versicolor,  Eyla 
picheringii,  Rana  pipiens,  Rana  clamitans,  Rana  palustris,  Rana 
syivatica  and  Rana  syivatica  cantahrigensis,  Rana  septentrionalis 
and  Rana  catesheana.  Unfortunately  the  sources  of  the  individual 
records  are  not  given. 

14.  Smith,  Bertram  G.  The  Breeding  Habits  of  Amhystoma 
punctatum  Linn.  American  Naturalist,  Vol.  XLI,  1907.  Work 
on  the  breeding  habits  of  Amhystoma  punctatum  was  conducted  at 
the  University  of  Michigan  and  the  material  upon  which  the  work 
was  based  was  collected  in  the  vicinity  of  Ann  Arbor. 

15.  Hankinson,  T.  L.  A  Biological  Survey  of  Walnut  Lake, 
Michigan.  Report  Geological  Survey  of  Michigan,  1908.  A  list  of 
the  amphibians  found  at  Walnut  Lake,  Oakland  County,  during  the 
spring  and  summer  of  1906. 


16  HERPETOLOGY    OF    MICHIGAN. 

16.  Ruthven,  Alexander  G.  The  Cold-Blooded  Vertebrates  of 
Isle  Rovale.  Report  Geological  Survey  of  Michigan,  1909.  A  sum- 
mary of  the  amphibian  fauna  of  Isle  Royale,  based  largely  npon  the 
results  of  the  Universitj'  of  Michigan  Museum  expeditions  to  the 
island  in  1901  and  1905. 

17.  Ruthyen,  Alexander  G.  Notes  on  Michigan  Reptiles  and 
Amphibians.  Eleventh  Ann.  Report  Michigan  Academy  of  Science, 
31)09.  This  paper  places  on  record  some  miscellaneous  data  upon 
the  amphibians  of  Michigan.  The  writer  refers  the  Michigan  wood 
frogs  to  Rana  cantci'brigensis  rather  than  Rcma  sylvatica. 

^18.  Smith,  Bertram  G.  The  Nests  and  Larvae  of  Necturus.  Bio- 
logical Bulletin,  Vol.  XX,  1911.  A  larval  specimen  taken  from  the 
Detroit  River,  Xov.  21,  1906,  is  described. 

METHODS  OF  STUDY. 

The  amphibians  are  a  group  of  animals  that  Avill  furnish  many 
interesting  problems  to  Michigan  students.  In  the  first  place,  while 
most  observers  of  nature  know  something  of  their  habits  and  con- 
siderable has  been  published  on  the  subject,  there  is  still  much 
to  be  done  upon  the  species  to  be  found  within  our  limits.  Added 
to  this  is  the  fact  that  the  species  are  not  difficult  to  observe  in  the 
field  after  one  becomes  familiar  w4th  their  haunts. 

In  taking  up  the  systematic  study  of  amphibians,  it  is  desirable 
first  to  become  familiar  with  the  general  characters  of  the  group. 
The  best  method  of  doing  this  is  to  dissect  a  specimen,  following  the 
directions  in  some  manual  on  the  subject.  The  anatomy  is  treated 
in  most  vertebrate  zoologies.  The  Frog  Book,  by  Mary  O.  Dicker- 
son,  gives  an  excellent  account  of  the  characters  used  in  the  classi- 
fication of  the  tailless  forms,  but  unfortunately  there  is  nothing  at 
present  available  on  the  tailed  amphibians.  Other  books  which 
will  prove  helpful  are,  The  Batrachians  and  Reptiles  of  the  State 
of  Indiana,  by  O.  P.  Hay,  A  Manual  of  the  Vertebrate  Animals  of 
the  Northern  United  States,  by  David  Starr  Jordan,  and  The 
Batrachia  of  North  America,  by  E.  D.  Cope,  although  the  latter  is 
at  present  difficult  to  obtain  and  is  for  the  most  part  technical  and 
rather  difficult  for  the  beginner. 

The  external  characters  are  sufficient  for  the  identification  of  the 
Michigan  species  and  are  alone  used  in  this  work.  The  points  to  be 
considered  in  the  identification  are : — first,  presence  or  absence 
of  a  tail  in  the  adult  state.  This  at  once  separates  the  two  orders 
found  in  this  region,  the  Salientia   (tailless  forms)    and  Caudata 


1  Since  this  bibliography  was  compiled  two  papers  have  been  published,  Thompson,  1911, 
and  Ruthven,  1911a,  containing  records  from  Cass  and  Huron  counties. 


AMPHIBIANS. 


17 


(tailed  forms).  In  ideutil'viiig  llie  8alienti;i  the  fulluwiiig  char- 
acters are  used, — general  external  appearance,  pi'oportionate  length 
of  head  and  body,  ])r()|)or1ionate  length  of  hind  limb  and  body, 
presence  or  absence  of  ])arotid  glands.  ])resence  or  absence  of  lateral 
glandnlar  folds',  teeth,  presence  or  absence  of  disks  on  fingers  and 


Fig.   1.     Diagram  of  Mouth  of  Frog  to  Sliow  Position  of  Teeth. 

n,  Internal  nares;    v,  Vomerine   teeth;    e.  Eustachian  tuUs;    o,  Oesophagus;    (7,  Glottis; 

t.  Tongue, 

toes,  gromid  color  and  pattern.  The  characters  used  in  the  identi- 
fication of  the  Caudata  are, — general  external  appearance,  propor- 
tionate length  of  body  and  tail,  shape  of  tail,  nnmber  of  costal 
grooves,  number  of  toes  on  the  hind  feet,  character  and  position  of 
teeth    (Fig.  2),  ground  color  and  pattern. 


Fig.  2.     Diagram  of  Mouth  of  Salamander  to  show  Position  of  Teeth. 
n,  Internal  nares;  v,  Vomerine  teeth;  p,  Paresphenoid  teetli;     t,  Tongue. 

Teachers  mav  outline  laboratorv  and  field  work  from  the  follow- 

ing  suggestions.     Tlie  collecting  and  identifying  of  s])ecies  shouhl 

precede  or  go  along  with  the  study  of  habils.    The  sjning  is  the  best 

time  to  observe  the  species  in  The  field,   for  this  is  the  breeding 

3 


18  HERPETOLOGY   OF    MICHIGAN. 

season  and  the  associated  habits  are  most  interesting.  Particular 
points  to  be  noted  are, — time  of  appearance  in  the  spring,  habitat, 
food  habits,  time  of  breeding,  characteristic  notes  of  the  different 
species,  method  of  fertilizing  the  eggs,  nature  of  egg  masses,  time  of 
hatching  of  eggs,  habits  and  metamorphosis  of  larvae. 

METHODS  OF  COLLECTING  AND  PRESERVING 

SPECIMENS. 

Collecting:  Since  most  of  the  species  come  to  the  streams  or 
ponds  to  breed  in  the  spring  this  is  the  best  season  for  collecting. 
They  may  also  be  collected  during  the  entire  summer  and  fall,  but 
as  most  of  the  species  leave  the  ponds  after  breeding  and  become 
more  solitary,  they  are  much  more  difficult  to  find.  However,  dur- 
ing the  summer  many  frogs  will  be  found  along  the  borders  of 
ponds  and  lakes,  along  the  banks  of  streams,  near  springs,  and  in 
marshes,  woods  and  fields.  The  toad  and  the  tree  frogs  as  a  rule 
retreat  from  the  water  after  the  breeding  season  is  past. 

The  Caudata,  or  tailed  amphibians,  with  the  exception  of 
Hemidactylium  scutatimi,  Plethodon  enjthronotus  and  Nectiirus 
iiiaculosus^  may  be  found  in  the  spring  in  small  ponds  where  they 
have  gone  to  breed.  At  other  times  during  the  year  they,  with 
Hemidactylium  scutatum  and  Plethodon  erythronotus,  are  to  be 
found  under  logs,  moss,  and  in  and  around  decaying  stumps  and 
logs  in  the  woods.  Some  may  also  be  found,  before  entering  the 
water  in  the  spring,  under  logs  and  stumps  in  woody  places.  Nec- 
turiis  maciilosus  may  be  caught  at  all  seasons  of  the  year  in  the 
larger  lakes  and  streams.  Plethodon  erythronotus  never  enters  the 
water.  It  may  be  found  under  the  bark  of  decayed  logs  and  similar 
places.  Hemidactyliu'm  scutatum,  so  far  as  is  known,  does  not 
enter  the  water.  It  may  be  collected,  during  the  spring  at  least, 
under  loose  moss  and  in  old  stumps  in  low,  wet  woods.  The  two 
year  old  form  of  Diemictylus  viridescens  may  be  found  in  decaying 
logs  with  the  other  species,  but  younger  and  older  forms  occur  in 
the  ponds  at  all  seasons. 

Amphibians  may  be  readily  caught  with  the  hands  or  by  means 
of  a  net.  The  best  net  to  use  is  a  long  handled  dip  net  of  small 
mesh  and  deep  enough  to  prevent  the  escape  of  frogs  after 
they  are  caught.  The  net  is  useful  in  collecting  frogs  or  toads  when 
in  the  water,  or  for  scooping  them  out  of  the  mud  at  the  bottom  of 
ponds.  A  22  caliber  rifle  shooting  cartridges  loaded  with  dust  shot 
(No.  14),  or  a  28  gauge  shot  gun  loaded  with  light  loads  of  powder 


AMPHIBIANS.  19 

and  dust  shot,  are  very  effective  means  of  collecting  large  series  of 
frogs. 

The  tailed  amphibians  are  rather  slow  in  their  movements,  and 
when  on  land  they  can  be  readily  picked  up  bj^  hand.  ^Alien  ob- 
served in  the  o]>en  water  they  may  be  easily  caught  in  the  dip  net. 
Digging  up  with  the  net  the  leaves  and  mud  from  the  bottom  of 
ponds  in  woody  places  will  usually  result  in  the  finding  of  several 
specimens. 

Specimens  may  be  carried  from  the  field  in  a  minnow  pail  in 
which  there  is  enough  water  to  keep  them  moist.  When  it  is  neces- 
sary to  keep  several  collections  separate,  the  animals  may  be  placed 
in  cheesecloth  bags  with  some  wet  moss.  Small  specimens  should 
be  kept  separate  from  the  large  ones  so  that  the  former  may  not  be 
injured. 

Keeping  Live  Material:  It  is  often  desirable  to  keep  amphibians 
alive  in  the  laboratory  and  the  following  suggestions  may  be  found 
useful.  Toads  and  frogs  may  be  kept  in  large  glass  jars,  covered 
over  the  top  with  netting  and  containing  some  moss  and  a  small 
amount  of  water.  Flies  and  earthworms  placed  in  the  jars  will  be 
eaten  readily.  The  frogs  should  be  sorted  according  to  size  and 
those  of  approximately  the  same  size  placed  in  the  same  jar,  other- 
wise the  large  individuals  will  eat  the  smaller  ones. 

The  small  tailed  amphibians  which  are  terrestial  in  habit,  Hemi- 
dactylium  seutattini  and  PJetliodon  erytlironotus,  may  be  kept  in 
l)acteria  dishes  with  a  little  damp  moss.  If  the  moss  is  renewed  fre- 
(juently  they  will  find  sufficient  numbers  of  insects  and  larvae  in  it 
to  keep  them  in  good  condition.  The  Ambystomas  and  Diemifctilus 
riridescens  should  be  kept  in  dishes  containing  moss,  bark  and  dead 
leaves  with  some  water  at  one  side,  so  that  thev  mav  enter  it  at 
will.  They  will  eat  insects,  worms  and  small  pieces  of  meat  if 
ottered  to  them.  Small  tadpoles  placed  in  the  water  will  furnish 
food  for  Dieini/ctilus  viridescens. 

The  aquatic  forms  will  need  a  larger  supply  of  water.  Xecturus 
should  be  kept  in  a  tank  containing  running  water  to  the  depth  of 
two  or  three  inches.  There  should  be  some  floating  plants  or  other 
objects  under  \\hich  they  may  partially  conceal  themselves.  Raw 
beef  cut  in  small  pieces  and  presented  on  the  end  of  a  fine  wire  will 
sometimes  be  taken  as  food.  If  this  method  of  feedins:  is  not  sue- 
cessful,  small  frogs  and  fish  may  be  eaten  if  placed  in  the  tank. 
Necturus  will  remain  in  good  condition  for  a  few  weeks  without 
food. 

Preservation   of  Specimens:     Amphibians  which   are  to  be  per- 


20  HERPETOLOGY    OE^    MICHIGAN. 

manentlj  preserved  should  be  properly  killed  and  ])iit  nj)  iu  a  pre- 
serving fluid,  for  a  poorly  preserved  speeiiiieii  is  usually  Avorse  than 
none.  The  best  method  of  killing  is  to  drown  the  animals.  This 
can  easily  be  done  b}'  placing  them  in  small  cheesecloth  bags  and 
immersing  them  in  water  so  that  no  air  can  reach  them.  The  air 
should  be  excluded  from  the  bag  b}'  gently  kneading  it  in  the  hands 
while  under  water.  The  amphibians  will  drown  within  twelve 
hours. 

After  killing,  the  specimens  should  be  placed  in  4%  formalin  for 
at  least  a  week  to  harden.  The  formalin  must  be  allowed  to  enter 
the  body  cavity  or  otherwise  the  internal  organs  will  decompose  be- 
fore the  preservative  can  penetrate  to  them.  This  is  best  accom- 
plished by  injecting  the  formalin  into  the  body  cavity,  by  means  of 
a  hypodermic  syringe,  but  if  this  is  not  convenient,  the  abdomen 
may  be  slit  open  with  a  pair  of  scissors.  When  thoroughly  hard- 
ened, the  specimens  should  be  transferred  to  from  55%  to  G0%  alco- 
hol for  permanent  storage.  It  is  important  that  the  alcohol  be  of 
this  strength,  for  stronger  solutions  will  shrivel  them  and  weaker 
will  not  properly  preserve  them.  Each,  specimen  should  be  pro- 
vided with  a  tag  tied  rather  loosely  about  the  body  just  in  front  of 
the  hind  legs.  This  label  should  give  the  locality',  date,  name  of  col- 
lector and  habitat  unless  a  catalog  is  kept,  in  Avhich  case  a  number 
may  be  placed  on  the  label  and  in  the  notebook  with  the  habitat 
data. 

DESCRirTIOX  OF  SPECIES. 

KEY  TO  MICHIGAN  AMPHIBIA. 

a\     Tailed  throughout  life.     Caudata. 

b^     External  gills  persistent  in  adult.     Proteiclae. 

c^  Body  lizard-like.  Limbs  four,  equally  devel- 
oped.   External  gills.    Color  brown,  spotted 

Avith  black.     Four  toes  on  each  foot 

yecturus  maciilosus,  p.  23. 

b-.     Adult  without  external  gills.     Limbs  well  developed. 
Eyelids  present.     Mutahilia. 

c^.  No  parasphenoid  teeth ;  vomero-palatine  teeth 
in  parallel  or  posteriorly  diverging  series 
that  do  not  extend  posteriorly  over  the 
parasphenoid.  Body  lizard-like.  Costal 
grooves  distinct.  Tail  compressed.  Amhjj- 
stomidae. 


AMPHIBIANS.  21 

(L^  Costal  "Tooves  12.  r>ack  dark  brown 
Willi  large  iiTcgular  yellow  spots. 
Body    and    head    stont.      IMantar 

tubercles  well  developed    

Aml.)}jHi(}in<i  tUjrlnuiu,  p.  20. 

d".  ('ostal  grooves  11.  Body  and  head 
broad.  Back  black  with  series  of 
bright  yellow  spots  on  each  side  of 
vertebral  colnmn.  Xo  ])lantar 
tubercles.  Transverse  line  of  teeth 
in  three  parts,  central  se})arated 
from  the  lateral  by  a  slight  inter- 
val; central  patch  usually  straight 
but  may  curve  forwai'd  in  the  mid- 
dle.   Anihij.stoina  pinictatiun,  p.  28. 

d\  Costal  grooves  12.  Back  bluish 
black,  uniform  or  with  pale  blue 
spots.  Head  and  body  slender. 
No  plantar  tubercles.  Teeth  in 
four  patches,  the  two  central  in  a 

nearly  straight  line 

.Amhi/sfonia  jcffersoiiiamiin.  p.  30. 
Parasphenoid  teeth  present.     Body  cylindri- 
cal.    Tail  round,  tapering  to  tip.     PlctJw- 
(lontidae. 

d^  Color  brownisli  black,  usually  with 
a  broad  red  or  asliy  dorsal  band. 
Bodv  slender.  Inner  toes  rudi- 
mentary.  Costal  grooves  1(1  to  10. 
.  .  .  .PJcthodon  crijihrouotus,  p.  32. 

d".  Color  light  brown  spotted  with  dark, 
a  lighter  stripe  down  the  back. 
Under  surface  yellowish  white  with 
dark  inky  spots.  Body  slender. 
Four  toes  on  each  foot.  Tail  verv 
long,  separated  from  the  body  by 
a      distinct      depression.        Costal 

grooves  13 

.  .  .HcniifJacfijliiiDi  scutatinn.  p.  34. 


22  HERPETOLOGY    OF    MICHIGAN. 

c^  Paraspheuoid  teeth  absent.  Yomero-palatine 
teeth  in  transverse  or  posteriorly  diverging 
series  extending  posteriorily  over  the  para- 
sphenoid.  Tail  compressed.  Outer  and 
inner  toes  on  hind  foot  rudimentary.  Sala- 
inandridav. 

d\  Costal  grooves  indistinct.  Color 
varying  from  olive  green  to  red- 
dish brown  above 

.  .  .  .Dlcmlctylus  viridesccns,  p.  36. 
a-.     Tail   absent  in  adult.     Body  short  and    broad.      Hind    limbs 
adapted  for  leaping.    Salientia. 

b\  No  maxillary  teeth.  Parotid  glands  present.  Skin 
Avarty.     BufonicJae. 

c^.  Parotids  oval.  Cranial  crests  divergent  be- 
hind  Bufo  americanus,  p.  39. 

b-.  Maxillary  teeth  present.  Parotid  glands  lacking. 
Fingers  and  toes  enlarged  at  ends  to  form  adhesive 
disks.    HyUdae. 

c^.  Disks  large.  Color  green,  gray  or  brown  with 
irregular  dark  blotches.  Irregular  dark 
star-shaped  blotch  on  upper  i)art  of  back. 

Hijla   vcrsicoJor,  p.  41. 

C-.  Disks  medium.  Oblique  dark  cross  on  back. 
J^ark   mark   between   eyes.     Limbs  barred. 

Hyla  pk'keHngil,  p.  43. 

c".  Disks  small.  Color  -  variable  with  three 
oblique  blotches  on  sides.  Dark  triangular 
spot  between  eyes.     Light  line  from  eye  to 

arm Acris  (jrylhis,  p.  45. 

c*.  Disks  small,  scarcely  discernable.  Color 
changeable.  Three  longitudinal  dark  stripes 
on    back.      Dark    line    from    eye    to    arm. 

Chorophilus  nigritiis^  p.  47. 

b".  Maxillary  teeth  present.  Parotid  glands  lacking.  No 
adhesive  disks.    Ranklae. 

c^.  Lateral  folds  large.  Color  green  with  two 
irregular  rows  of  rounded  dark  spots 
edged  with  lighter  color  on  back.  Legs 
barred  or  spotted Rami  pipiens,  p.  49. 


AMPHIBIANS.  23 

C-.  Color  brown  with  two  irreiiiilar  rows  of  ob- 
long sqnare  blotches  of  dark  l)i'0wn  on  the 
back,  tlie  spots  without  edgings  of  lighter 
color Rana  jmlustrif<,  p.  51. 

c\  Lateral  folds  conspicuous.  ('(>h)r  brownish 
green  with  small  dark  spots.  Legs  spotted 
or  barred  with  dark.     Web  broad  leaving 

last  two  joints  of  fourth  toe  free 

Rana  rhunitan^'i,  p.  53. 

c^.  Lateral  folds  present.  Ground  color  variable. 
Arms  and  legs  barred.  A  l)hick  ]>atch  in 
ear  region.  Length  of  hind  limb  to  heel 
equals  distance  from  anus  to  some  i)oint  in 
front  of  eye.  .  .  .Rami  cantahrigeiisis^  p.  55. 

c\  Xo  lateral  folds.  Color  light  olive  brown 
Avith  blotches  of  darker  color.  Legs  spotted 
or  branded Rami  scptentriomiUs,  p.  57. 

c^.  No  lateral  folds.  Color  greenish  brown  with 
darker  spots.  Fold  of  skin  from  eye  to  arm 
curving    behind    ear.      Hind    feet    webbed, 

leaving  last  joint  of  fourth  toe  free 

Rana  catrsheami,  p.  59. 

NECTURUS  MACULOSUS  Kafiiiesque. 

MUD   PUPPY. 

(PI-   I.) 

Description:  Body  elongate,  thick  and  cylindrical.  Head  broad, 
flat  and  depressed.  Muzzle  rounded;  mouth  large,  upper  lip  over- 
hanging lower.  Eyes  small,  situated  near  fi'ont  of  head;  nostrils  at 
end  of  snout.  Three  bushv  external  gills  on  each  side  of  neck. 
Gular  fold  prominent,  fourteen  costal  furrows  and  a  dorsal  groove. 
Limbs  small  but  well  developed,  digits  four  in  number.  Tail  greatly 
compressed.  Skin  very  smooth  and  slimy.  Two  series  of  teeth  in 
almost  parallel  rows.  Premaxillary  series  short,  forming  an  angle 
anteriorly.  Yomero-palatine  series  longer,  extending  from  the  angle 
of  the  premaxillaries  to  the  angle  of  the  jaw. 

Ground  color  varies  from  dark  to  ashy  brown  above,  paler  below. 
Upper  surface  usually  mottled  with  darker  color  and  with  small 
light  spots.  Gills  bright  red.  In  young  specimens  a  dark  lateral 
band  is  sometimes  found. 


24  HERPBTOLOGY    OF    MICHIGAN. 


Measurements:     iSpeciincn  Xo.  -'/1723. 


ri^ 


Total  length   243 

Length  of  head  and  body 155 

AVidth  of  head 034 

Hiihits  and  Hahltat:  Xccfiinis  hkicuJosus  is  wholly  aquatic  and 
is  rather  dnll  and  sluggish  during  the  day  time.  It  usually  rests  on 
the  bottom  with  the  gills  spread  out  and  may  sometimes  be 
seen  crawling  slowly  about.  When  disturbed,  the  gills  are 
contracted  close  to  the  sides  and  the  animal  swims  raoidly  away  bv 
means  of  the  large,  flat,  paddle-like  tail.  The  fact  that  it  is  fre- 
quently taken  throughout  the  winter  would  seem  to  indicate  the 
absence  of  a  hibernating  period. 

At  night  the  Necturus,  which  is  extremely  voracious,  swims  about 
in  search  of  its  food,  which  consists  mainlj'  of  small  Crustacea, 
worms,  fish  and  their  eggs,  and  insects.  In  captivity  it  will  some- 
times eat  small  pieces  of  meat,  but  only  when  it  has  been  for  some 
time  without  food.  It  is  frequently  caught  on  hooks  or  in  nets  by 
fishermen,  who  commonly  regard  it  as  ver}'  poisonous.  This  fallacy 
is  no  doubt  due  to  the  coat  of  slime  which  is  emitted  when  the  ani- 
mal is  irritated.  Adult  specimens  can  also  infiict  a  rather  painful 
bite  with  their  sharp,  strong  teeth,  and  it  is  hard  to  dislodge  them 
when  they  have  secured  a  good  hold.  The  flesh  is  reported  excellent 
by  those  Avho  have  eaten  it. 

^'erv  little  is  known  of  the  breeding'  habits  of  Xecturus.  The 
animals  are  usually  found  in  pairs  in  the  autumn,  and  it  is  possi- 
ble that  this  is  the  mating  season.  Hay  (1892a,  p.  12)  states  that 
eggs  were  taken  from  the  Detroit  Eiver  about  the  middle  of  July, 
while  according  to  Eycleshymer  (190G,  ]).  133),  who  has  studied 
their  habits  in  the  small  lakes  of  Wisconsin,  "the  best  time  for  col- 
lecting is  during  the  middle  and  latter  parts  of  the  month  of  May." 
The  nest  is  much  like  that  of  a  fish,  consisting  of  a  small  excavation 
in  the  sand  under  some  sheltering  object,  such  as  a  log,  board  or 
stone.  The  eggs  are  found  attached  to  this  shelter  ''by  the  slender 
stalks  of  the  gelatinous  envelopes"  (Smith,  1911,  p.  191),  and  cover 
a  surface  of  from  six  to  twelve  inches  in  diameter.  Smith  (1911) 
found  the  average  number  of  eggs  in  a  nest  to  be  sixty -six.  They 
are  about  the  size  of  a  pea,  and  lack  the  pigment  which  is  charac- 
teristic of  the  eggs  of  most  amphibians.  Further  details  of  develop- 
ment have  not  been  worked  out. 

Distrihution:    Eastern  United  States,  mostlv  north  and  west  of 


Library 


AMPHIBIANS. 


25 


the  Alleglianies,  abnudaiit  in   tlie    Great    Lake    region.      (Jordan, 
1899.) 

Miclii<;aii:    SiuM-iineiis  in  the  University  Museum  fioni  Keweenaw 
(Isle  Royale),  Dickinson,  Cbeboygan,  Hnron,  Livingston,  Washte- 


■^o,  V       D  C  M  I  N  I  0  ^     OF    CANADA 


Fi<?.  3.     Distribution  of  Nediiriis  maculosus. 
Horizontal  ruling,  specimens  examined;  vertical  ruling,  reports  only. 


naw  and  ^^t.  Joseph  Counties.  Tlie  writers  have  also  examined 
specimens  from  Gratiot  and  Eaton  Counties.  Reported  from  Kewee- 
naw (Isle  Royale).  Wayne  and  Oakland  Counties  (Cope,  1889); 
Wayne,  St.  Clair,  Allegan,  Kalamazoo,  Eaton,  Montcalm  and  Van 
Ruren  Counties  (Gibbs,  Notestein  and  Clark.  190.') I  ;  Ottawa 
County  (jMilner,  1874)  ;  Keweenaw  County  (Isle  Royale)    (Ruthven, 


26  HERPETOLOGY    OF    MICHIGAN. 

1909)  ;  ClieboYgan  County  (Ruthven,  1911)  ;  Huron  County  (Rutli- 
ven,  1911a)  ;  Washtenaw  County  (Smith,  1879)  ;  Ottawa  and  Wayne 
Counties  (Milner,  1874). 

AMBYSTOMA  TIGKINUM  (Green). 

TIGER    SALAMANDER. 
(PI.  II  a.) 

Description:  Body  large  and  thick.  Head  flat  and  not  as  broad 
as  body  in  adult  specimens.  Ejes  prominent,  nares  small.  Parotid 
region  much  swollen.  Gular  fold  prominent,  extending  upward  on 
sides  of  neck.  Also  a  groove  running  from  corner  of  mouth  to  eye. 
Twelve  costal  furrows  and  a  distinct  dorsal  groove.  Limbs  stout; 
toes  depressed,  tapering  from  a  broad  base  to  the  tips  which  are 
hardened  and  horn}'  in  appearance.  Two  distinct  plantar  tubercles. 
Tail  long  and  compressed,  equal  in  length  to  distance  from  snout  to 
groin.  Skin  smooth  and  glossy,  and  covered  with  mucous  pores 
which  are  not  as  prominent  as  in  Ami) ij stoma  punctatum.  Vomero- 
palatine  teeth  in  a  straight  or  slightly  curving  series  across  roof 
of  mouth.  Tongue  large  and  fleshy,  free  on  sides  and  attached  at 
ends. 

Ground  color  brownish  black  above,  lighter  beneath.  Bright  yel- 
low spots  scattered  irregularly  over  entire  surface  of  body.  These 
spots  may  be  few  or  many  in  number  and  are  sometimes  confluent 
to  form  more  or  less  definite  stripes. 

Measurements:    Specimen  No.  36030. 

Total  length   205  - 

Length  of  head  and  body 100 

Width  of  head 02G 

Habits  and  Habitat:  This  species,  as  a  rule,  spends  most  of  the 
year  under  stones,  logs,  in  decaying  stumps  and  in  holes  or  burrows 
made  bv  other  animals.  However,  it  has  been  known  to  remain  in 
the  water  during  the  summer.  It  is  voracious  and  carnivorous,  eat- 
ing worms,  insects  and  at  times  small  frogs.  According  to  Metz- 
dorff  (Gadow,  1901,  p.  113),  the  breeding  season  of  Am'bystoma 
tigrimim  is  from  April  to  .Time  and  occasionally  in  December. 
Smith  (1882,  p.  721)  states  that  "they  have  been  observed  in  great 
numbers  in  the  'Cathole,'  at  Ann  Arbor,  Michigan,  swimming  vigor- 
ouslv  on  March  10th,  and  their  eogs  were  found  a  few  davs  later." 
The  male  enters  the  water  and  deposits  spermat()]>hores,  which  are 


AMPHIBIANS. 


27 


taken  up  into  the  cloaca  of  the  female.  The  eggs  are  nsnall}^  laid 
the  day  after  fertilization,  in  masses  containing  from  six  to  ten, 
and  are  attached  to  stems  or  leaves  of  water  plants.  The  larvae 
emerge  after  an   interval  of  about  two  weeks.     The   latter  were 


Fig.  4.     Distribution  of  Amhystoma  ligrinum. 
Horizontal  ruling,  specimens  examined;  vertical  ruling,  reports  only. 

former!}'  supposed  to  be  a  distinct  species,  "AxolotT".  due  to  the 
fact  that  metamorphosis  may  be  delayed  and  breeding  take  place 
during  the  larval  stage.  Under  normal  conditions,  liowever,  the 
adult  form  is  reached  in  about  one  hundred  davs  after  hatchinc^. 

Distrihutlon:     Northeast   to    ^Minnesota     and    south.       (Jordan, 
1899.) 


28  HP:RPET0L0GY    of    MICHIGAN. 

Michigan  :  Specimens  in  the  University  Museum  from  Calhoun, 
Washtenaw,  Lenawee  and  Livingston  Counties.  Reported  from 
Wayne  and  Washtenaw  Counties  (Cope,  1889)  ;  Montcalm,  Washte- 
naw, Kalamazoo,  Eaton  and  Allegan  Counties  (Gibbs,  Notestein 
and  Clark.  1005)  ;  Washtenaw  County  (Smith,  ISTO;  Smith,  1882). 

AMBYSTOMA  PUNCTATUM  (Linnaeus). 

SPOTTED   SALAMANDER. 
(PI.   II  a.) 

Description:  Body  short  and  stout.  Head  broad  and  slightly 
rounded,  with  parotid  region  greatly  swollen.  Eyes  prominent, 
nares  small.  Oular  fold  prominent,  connected  by  a  ridge  with 
another  slight  fold  behind  the  eye.  Eleven  costal  furrows  and  a 
slight  dorsal  groove.  Limbs  moderateh^  developed;  toes  slightly 
depressed;  plantar  tubercles  indistinct.  Tail  compressed,  with  a 
well  marked  indentation  along  each  side.  Skin  smooth  and  glossy, 
surface  pitted  Avith  mucous  pores  which  are  most  prominent  in  the 
]>arotid  region  and  on  the  tail.  Transverse  line  of  teeth  in  three 
patches,  the  central  separated  from  laterals  by  slight  interval  at 
inner  edges  of  posterior  nares.  Central  patch  may  curve  forward 
in  the  middle. 

Ground  color  blue  black  or  black  with  large  yellow  blotches 
arranged  in  a  more  or  less  irregular  row  on  each  side  of  vertebral 
column.     Legs  also  spotted.     Under  surface  paler  than  upper. 

Measurements:    Specimen  No.  3o787. 

Total  length   145 

Length  of  head  and  body 081 

Width  of  head 01G5 

Hahits  and  Hahitat:  Amhystojna  piinctatiim  is  nocturnal  in  its 
liabits  and  is  found  under  logs  and  stones  in  damp,  woody  places. 
It  resembles  Amhijstoma,  tigrininn  in  its  food  habits.  When  in  the 
water  the  animal  swims  rapidly  by  means  of  the  broad,  flat  tail. 
Like  the  other  members  of  the  genus,  this  species  goes  to  the  water 
to  deposit  its  eggs.  This  migration  to  the  ponds  takes  place  in 
March  or  A])ril.  The  males  enter  the  i)onds  and  deposit  sperniato- 
phores  on  sticks  and  leaves  just  at  the  surface  of  the  water.  These 
spermatophores  are  small,  Avhite,  mushroom-like  bodies,  the  cap- 
shaped  tops  containing  the  sperm.  Several  are  usually  deposited 
in  one  place  and  fertilization  probably  takes  place  in  the  same  man- 


AMPHIBIANS. 


29 


nei*  as  in  AiiiJ)jjsto}na  tigrUiuni.  After  fertilization  the  eggs  are 
laid  in  oval  masses,  the  whole  mass  being  embedded  in  gelatine. 
They  are  attached  to  some  sn])])ort  in  the  water,  either  grass  stems 
or  small  sticks,    ^^'hen  hatched  the  AT^nng-  larvae  are  about  half  an 


'^ 


.;^  DOMINION     OF    CANADA 


Fig.  5.     Distribution  of  Ambysloma  putictatum. 
Horizontal  ruling,  specimens  examined;  vertical  ruling,  reports  only. 


inch  in  length  and  metamorphosis  does  not  occur  until  a  length  of 
about  two  inches  has  been  reached. 

Distrihiition:  Nova  Scotia  to  Nebraska,  south  to  Georgia.  (Jor- 
dan, 1890.) 

Michigan  :  Specimens  in  the  University  Museum  from  Manistee 
and  Washtenaw  Counties.     Reported  from  Eaton  County    (Clark, 


30  HERPETOLOGY    OF    MICHIGAN. 

1902;    Gibbs.   Xotestein   and   Clark,    1905)  ;    Washtenaw    County 
(KSmith,  1907;  Smith,  1879). 

AMBYSTOMA  JEFFERSONIANUM  (Green). 

Jefferson's  salamander. 

(PI.  II  a.) 

Description:  Body  lon<>'  and  slender.  Head  elongate  and  flat: 
e^'es  large  and  prominent;  nares  small,  situated  at  end  of  snout; 
mouth  large.  Gular  fold  distinct,  rising  on  sides  of  neck.  Another 
fold  extends  across  the  throat  from  a  point  just  behind  the  corner 
of  the  mouth  and  is  met  bv  a  groove  running  from  the  corner  of 
the  eye.  Twelve  costal  furrows  and  a  dorsal  groove.  Limbs  well 
developed;  toes  long,  slender  and  much  depressed;  no  plantar 
tubercles.  Tail  compressed  and  somewhat  shorter  than  body.  Skin 
smooth  and  covered  with  numerous  pores  which  may  be  clearlj' 
seen  under  a  lens.  Teeth  in  four  patches,  the  two  central  extending 
to  the  inner  nares.  where  they  are  met  by  the  two  lateral  patches 
Avliich  form  the  posterior  border  of  the  inner  nares.  Tongue  large 
and  thick. 

Ground  color  bluish  or  brownish  black  above,  paler  below.  Sur- 
face with  or  without  pale  blue  spots. 

Measurements:    Specimen  Xo.  37926. 

Total  length .118 

Length  of  head  and  body 070 

Width  of  head 010 

Eahits  and  Hahitat:  Am'bxjstouia  jeffersonianiim  is  secretive,  and 
during  the  day  is  found  in  damp,  dark  places.  It  is  usually  found 
under  logs  and  stones.  It  is  extremely  active,  and,  according  to 
Gadow  (1901,  p.  Ill),  a  good  climber,  ''easily  escaping  out  of  high- 
walled  bell-glasses." 

Little  has  been  done  on  the  breeding  habits  of  this  salamander. 
Smith  (1911a,  p.  19)  states  that  the  early  spawning  season  "sug- 
gests the  possibility  of  an  autumnal  fertilization.-'  Hahn  (1908, 
pp.  550-552)  has  taken  the  eggs  in  late  segmentation  stages  on  Feb. 
28,  at  Mitchell,  Ind.,  while  Smith  (1911a,  p.  17)  found  the  first 
eggs  on  April  5,  at  Syracuse,  Xew  York.  They  are  laid  in  small 
grape-like  masses  that  are  usually  hung  on  a  leaf  or  stick.  Piersol 
(1910)  has  found  the  number  of  eggs  in  a  single  mass  to  be  about 
twenty.     The  hatching  probably  takes  place  in  from  thirteen  to 


AMPHIBIANS. 


31 


eighteen  days  and  transformation  occurs  some  time  during  July  or 


August. 


This  species  resembles  Plctliodo)i  glutinosus,  which  has  been  re- 
ported from  Kent  (Gibbs,  Notestein  and  Clark,  1905),  Wayne 
(Cope,  1889)  and  Marquette  (Ruthven,  1906)   Counties.     However, 


Fig.  6.     Distribution  of  Ambystoma  jeffersonianum. 
Horizontal  ruling,  specimens  examined;  vertical  ruling,  reports  only. 

the  specimens  listed  from  Wayne  and  Marquette  Counties  are  in 
the  University  Museum  and  have  been  re-identified  as  Amhijstoma 
jeffersaniamun.  The  two  species  may  be  distinguished  by  the  fact 
that  the  parasphenoid  teeth  are  present  in  Plethodoti  glutmosus 
and  absent  in  Amhy stoma  jeffersonianum.  We  have  not  seen  speci- 
mens of  the  former  from  the  state. 


32  HERPETOLOGY    OF    MICHIGAN. 

Distrihutioii:  Pennsylvania  to  Virginia  and  nortli  to  Canada. 
(Jordan,  1899.) 

Michigan  :  Specimens  in  tlie  Universit}'  Museum  from  ^larquette, 
Cheboygan,  ^fanistee,  Arenac  (Charity  Island),  Hnron,  Ionia,  Ing- 
ham, Liyingston,  AVayne  and  Washtenaw  Counties.  The  writers 
have  also  examined  specimens  from  Gratiot  and  Eaton  Counties, 
Reported  from  Eaton  County  (Clark,  1902)  ;  Eaton  and  Montcalm 
Counties  (Gibbs,  Xotestein  and  Clark,  1905)  ;  Washtenaw  County 
(Smith,  1879)  ;  Cheboygan  County  (Ruthyen,  1911)  ;  Huron  County 
(Ruthven,  1911a  j. 

PLETHODOX    ERYTHRONOTUS  (Green). 

RED-BACKED  SALAMANDER. 
(Pis.  I,  lib.) 

Description:  Body  long,  slender  and  cylindrical.  Head  small; 
mouth  yery  large,  upper  jaw  slightly  protruding;  eyes  large;  nares 
small  and  situated  laterally.  Gular  fold  prominent,  reaching  up  to 
the  dorsal  stripe  and  met  there  by  a  groove  running  from  the  corner 
of  the  eye.  This  groove  is  in  turn  bisected  bv  a  groove  extending- 
upward  from  the  corner  of  the  mouth.  Costal  folds  distinct;  the 
number  varying  from  sixteen  to  nineteen.  A  distinct  dorsal  groove. 
Limbs  extremely  slender,  inner  toes  rudimentary.  Tail  cylindrical. 
Yomero-palatine  teeth  extending  backward  in  two  converging  rows. 
Parasphenoid  teeth  in  two  patches  behind  the  nares. 

Color  brownish  black  on  sides,  usually  with  a  broad  ashy  or  red 
dorsal  stripe  which  is  mottled  with  brown.  Under  surface  yellow- 
ish, also  mottled  with  a  darker  color. 

Jleasiirements:    f^pccimen  'No.  SoSO). 

Total  length   089 

Length  of  head  and  body 015 

Width  of  head 005 

Hahits  and  Hahitat:  The  red-backed  salamander  is  entirely  ter- 
restrial in  its  habits.  It  is  usually  found  under  rocks  and  in  decay- 
ing logs  in  moist,  woody  ])laces  and  occasionally  on  low  shrubs  and 
plants.  It  is  very  active,  the  adult  disappearing  rapidly  and  hiding 
under  leaves  and  moss  when  disturbed,  unless  accom]^anied  by  its 
young.  The  food  consists  mainly  of  insects,  larvae,  small  snails 
and  worms,  Avhich   are  caught  by  means  of  the  ])rojectile  tongue. 


AMPHIBIANS. 


33 


The  eggs  are  fonnd  in  grape-like  bunches  of  from  six  to  eleven 
attached  to  the  under  surface  of  stones  or  the  bark  of  decaying  trees 
and  are  brooded  b}^  the  female.  They  are  laid,  according  to  Hahn 
(1008),  in  May,  but  have  not  been  found  at  Ann  Arbor  until  June 
(Smith,  1882).     The  writers  took  eggs  in  a  late  stage  of  develop- 


DOMINION     OF    CANADA 


I  L  L  I  N   0    IS 


Fig.  7.     Distribution  of  Plethodon  erijihronotus. 
Horizontal  ruling,  specimens  examined;  vertical  ruling,  reports  only. 

ment  at  Port  Austin,  Huron  Count}^,  Aug.  5,  1911.  The  larvae, 
which  are  at  first  provided  with  branchiae,  are  usually  found  with 
the  parents  and  are  apparently  fed  by  them.  When  young  the  ani- 
mal is  very  light  in  color,  growing  darker  with  age. 

Prof.  Cope   (1889)    recognizes  two  sub-species  of  Plethodon,  P. 
5 


34  HERPETOLOGY  OF  MICHIGAN. 

cinereus  aud  P.  cinereus  var.  crythronotiis,  which  have  both  been  re- 
ported from  Michigan.  There  are  no  apparent  differences  in  struc- 
ture, proportions  and  general  character  between  these  two  forms. 
The  distinction  is  entirely  one  of  color,  erythronotus  having  a  red 
dorsal  stripe,  cinereus  an  ashy  one.  Also,  the  writers  have  found 
the  two  varieties  in  the  same  region,  and  not  infrequently  in  one 
log.  Without  doubt  the  differences  in  color  are  onlv  individual. 
Distrihution:  Eastern  United  States.  (Jordan,  1899.) 
Michigan :  Specimens  in  the  University'  Museum  from  Ontona- 
gon, Baraga,  Dickinson,  Cheboygan,  Benzie,  Manistee,  Huron,  Ing- 
ham, Washtenaw  and  Lenawee  Counties.  The  writers  have  also 
examined  specimens  from  Gratiot  and  Eaton  Counties.  Reported 
from  Eaton  County  (Clark,  1902)  ;  Wayne  County  (Cope,  1889)  ; 
Eaton,  Montcalm  and  Antrim  Counties  (Gibbs,  Xotestein  and 
Clark,  1905)  ;  Ontonagon  County  (Ruthven,  1904a)  ;  Ontonagon, 
Baraga  and  Marquette  Counties  (Ruthven,  1906)  ;  Cheboygan 
County  (Ruthven,  1911)  ;  Hurou  County  (Ruthven,  1911a)  ;  Wash- 
tenaw County   (Smith,  1879;  Smith,  1882). 

HEMIDACTYL.IUM  SCUTATUM  (Schlegel). 

FOUR-TOED   SALAMANDER. 
(PI.  I.) 

Description:  Body  short  and  cylindrical.  Head  broad,  muzzle 
blunt,  upper  jaw  projecting  over  lower.  Eyes  large.  Gular  fold 
distinct  but  not  prominent,  and  rising  on  the  sides  of  the  neck. 
Another  dei)ression  extending  from  the  eye  to  the  gular  fold.  Skin 
Avith  slight  deju-essions  that  give  it  a  scuted  appearance.  Thirteen 
distinct  but  not  prominent  costal  grooves.  A  dorsal  groove  and  a 
slight  depression  extending  along  the  sides  from  limb  to  limb.  This 
lateral  depression  forks  anteriorly  and  sends  out  a  branch  to  the 
middle  of  the  head  between  the  eves.  Limbs  verv  slender  but  well 
developed.  Toes  four  in  number,  the  inner  toe  and  inner  and  outer 
lingers  rudimentary;  third  toe  the  longest.  Tail  very  long,  sepa- 
rated from  body  by  a  distinct  depression,  slightly  compressed, 
large  at  base  and  tapering  gradually  to  a  point.  Yomero-palatine 
teeth  in  two  series  just  behind  internal  nares.  Parasphenoidal 
])atches  distinctly  separated.  Tongue  attached  anteriorly,  and 
slightly  free  posteriorly. 

Ground  color  dark  brown,  spotted  with  darker  color,  and  becom- 
ing dark  gray  on  the  sides.  Limbs,  snout  and  tail  lighter  in  color 
than  back,  and  blotched  with  dark  above.  Small  light  spot  on 
shoulder  just  above  arm. 


AMPHIBIANS. 


35 


A/('((siircui(  iil,s:     ^pt'ciiiicii   Xo.  .'/.^/'fU. 


rv 


Total  leiiulli    mi 


Length  of  liend  juid  bodv 


.0.31 


AVidth  ol  head 005 

Hahlfs  (111(1  TTahifdt:     The  loiir-iocMl  sahniiainhM-  is  a  rare  species 


Fig.  8.     Distribution  of  Hernidactylium  scutatum. 
Horizontal  ruling,  specimens  examined;  vertical  ruling,  reports  only. 

in  Michigan,  liaving  been  found  in  only  three  counties  in  the  state. 
Clark  (1902)  reports  five  specimens,  which  have  been  examined  by 
the  writers,  from  Eaton  County  as  follows:  "A  single  specimen  of 
this  uncommon  salamander  was  collected  May  !:>,  1!)01.  It  was 
found  in  the  earth  on  the  roots  of  a  violet,  which  had  been  pulled 
up.     So  far  as  I  can  learn,  it  has  not  previously  been  collected  in 


36  HERPETOLOGY    OF    MICHIGAN. 

Michigan.  Four  other  specimens,  two  males  and  two  females,  were 
taken  together  in  April,  1902,  under  a  log.  The  females  were  fully 
twice  as  large  as  the  males."  There  are  at  present  three  live  speci- 
mens in  the  University  of  Michigan  Museum.  One  of  these  was 
taken  in  a  Avoods  about  five  miles  south  of  Ann  Arbor  during  the 
summer  of  1910,  and  was  presented  to  the  Museum  by  Miss  Jessie 
Phelps.  The  other  tAvo  specimens  were  taken  by  the  Avriters  in  the 
same  woods  in  April,  1911.  A  single  specimen  was  collected  by 
N.  A.  Wood  at  White  Fish  Point,  Chippewa  County  in  August, 
1912. 

Very  little  is  known  of  the  habits  of  this  salamander.  Smith 
(1882,  p.  723)  states  that  "it  has  been  found  in  April  under  old  logs 
and  rails  in  open  woods,  at  some  distance  from  the  water,  and 
was  very  quick  and  lively  in  its  movements."  The  woods  in  which 
the  Washtenaw  County  specimens  were  taken  is  low  and  damp. 
One  was  found  under  loose  moss  and  one  was  just  inside  the  bark 
of  a  rotten  stump.  The  movements  are  lively  and  erratic,  the 
animal  sometimes  jumping  for  some  distance.  The  food  probably 
consists  of  insects  and  worms,  the  writers  have  observed  it  to  eat 
small  flies  in  captivity.  The  eggs  are  laid  under  moss  or  bark,  and 
the  salamander,  at  least  in  the  adult  condition,  avoids  the  water. 
Individuals  sometimes  emit  a  sharp  squeal  when  annoyed. 

Distrihution:  From  Massachusetts  and  Canada  westward  to  Illi- 
nois and  south  to  Georgia.     (Jordan,  1899.) 

Michigan :  Specimens  in  the  University  Museum  from  Washte- 
naw and  Chippewa  Counties.  Keported  from  Eaton  County  (Clark, 
1902;  Gibbs,  Notestein  and  Clark,  1905)  ;  Washtenaw  County  (Ruth- 
ven,  1911). 

DIEMICTYLUS  VIKIDJESCENS  Rafinesque. 

GREEN    NEWT. 
(Pis.  I,  II  a.) 

Descriptio)i:  Body  slender  and  slightly  compressed.  Muzzle 
rounded;  upper  jaw  extending  a  little  beyond  the  lower;  eyes 
large;  exterior  nares  close  together.  Limbs  slender,  anterior  about 
half  the  size  of  the  posterior.  First  finger  and  first  and  fifth  toes 
rudimentar}'.  Tail  much  compressed  and  as  long,  if  not  longer, 
than  the  head  and  bodv.  Skin  finelv  wrinkled;  costal  grooves  in- 
distinct.  On  either  side  of  the  head  below  the  eye  there  may  be  a 
row  of  four  pits,  but  these  are  frequently  lacking.  Yomero-palatine 
teeth  in  two  longitudinal  row^s  which  converge  close  to  the  internal 


AMPHIBIANS.  37 

iiare?!;.     Toiijj;iie  attached  i)()sl(M'i()i'ly  and  anteriorly  but  free  on  the 
sides. 

Ground  color  varies  from  reddisli  brown  to  olive  green  above; 
lower  surface  pale  yellow.  ]>ody  covered  with  small  black  spots 
especially  noticeable  on  the  lower  surface  because  of  the  lighter 
ground  color.  On  either  side  of  the  vertebral  line  a  row  of  small 
red  spots,  each  having  a  black  border. 

J\feasi(rc)n€ntf<:     ^prc'imoi  Xo.  Sl'037. 

Total  length 100 

Length  of  head  and  body 04S 

Width  of  head 008 

Habits  (Hid  Hahitat:  This  newt  is  aquatic  in  its  habits,  the 
adult  spending  most  of  its  time  in  the  water.  It  frequents  places 
with  a  soft  bottom  and  hides  under  leaves  and  water  plants.  In 
large  ponds  it  is  usually  found  in  the  more  sheltered  ])laces.  It  is 
carnivorous  in  food  liabit  and  extremely  voracious.  Tlic  food  con- 
sists cliietly  of  Avater  insects,  small  molluscs,  worms  and  tadpoles. 
When  kept  in  captivity  the  animal  beconies  very  tame  and  will  read- 
ily eat  small  pieces  of  meat,  worms  and  small  tad]>oles.  It  some- 
times emits  a  sharp  squeak  when  disturbed.  The  breeding  season 
extends  from  April  to  Jttne.  During  this  season  the  genital  open- 
ings of  the  male  become  swollen,  and  transverse  horny  ])lates  a])pear 
on  the  posterior  surface  of  the  hind  limbs  and  on  the  under  side  of 
the  tips  of  the  toes.  A  spotted  crest  also  appears  along  the  upper 
and  lower  sides  of  the  tail.  The  male  deposits  spermatophores 
similar  to  those  of  Amlji/stoiiia  punctatum  except  that  they  are 
fewer  in  number.  In  order  to  insure  the  fertilization  of  the  eggs 
there  is  a  preliminary  ^'Liebes  spiel".  The  eggs  are  laid  singly  be- 
tween the  leaves  of  water  plants  or  in  other  like  situations.  Ac- 
cording to  Jordan  (189/)),  the  egg  laying  season  for  one  individual 
lasts  about  seven  or  eight  weeks.  The  young  larvae  hatch  after  a 
l>eriod  of  about  thirty  days.  After  the  gills  are  absorbed,  the  young 
animal  leaves  the  water  and  the  color  chant>es  to  a  dark  red.  This 
stage  was  formerly  considered  a  distinct  s])ecies  and  called  D. 
miniatus;  careful  observation,  however,  has  shown  that,  after  the 
first  two  or  three  years  of  its  life,  the  animal  returns  to  the  water 
and  assumes  the  adult  viridescent  coloration. 

Distrihutioii :  Eastern  United  States,  abundant  north  and  north- 
east.     (Jordan.  181)0.) 

Michigan  :     Specimens  in  the  University  Museum  from  Houghton, 


38 


HERPETOLOGY    OF    MICHIGAN. 


Fig-.  9.     Distribution  of  Diemictylus  viridescens. 
Horizontal  ruling,  specimens  examined;  vertical  ruling,  reports  onlj-. 


Marquette,  Cheboygan,  Huron,  Arenac  (Charity  Ishiud),  Ionia  and 
Washtenaw  Counties.  The  writers  have  also  examined  specimens 
from  Eaton  County.  Reported  from  luiton  County  (Chuk,  190- ; 
Gibbs,  Xotestein  and  Clark,  1905)  ;  Cheboygan  County  (Ruthven. 
1911)  ;  Huron  County  (Ruthven,  1911a)  ;  Washtenaw  County 
(Smith.  1879). 


AIVIPHIBIANS.  39 

BUFO  AMEKICANUS  L.e  Conte. 

AMERICAN    TOAD. 
(PI.  Ill  a.) 

Description :  liody  sliort  and  (1e])resse(l.  Head  very  broad,  upper 
jaw  protruding'  sliglitly  and  notched  in  the  center.  I^yes  hi  roe. 
Pjirotid  ghmds  hir<;e  and  kidney  sliaped.  Fr(>nt()-i)aiMetal  erests 
extend  back  between  the  eyes  and  are  joined  at  rii^hl  an^h's  by  the 
])Ost-orbital  crests  Avhicli  extend  l»a(k  of  the  eyes  to  a  jjoint  al)ove 
the  ears.  Skin  conspicnonsly  warty  above;  nnder  surface  granu- 
lated. Toes  partly  webbed.  Two  dark-colored  metatarsal  tubercles, 
the  outer  small,  the  inner  with  a  cutting  edge.    Jaws  without  teeth. 

Ground  color  varies  from  grayish  to  brownish  black,  with  large 
irrgular  spots  of  dark  brown  which  show  more  plainly  on  the  speci- 
mens which  are  lighter  in  color.  There  is  frequently  a  light  verte- 
bral stripe.  Under  surface  a  dusky  lemon  color,  S(jmetimes  with 
smaller  irregular  blotches  of  dark  brown.     Throat  of  male  black. 


-^&' 


Measurements:    Specimen  No.  3011 '/- 

Length  of  head  and  bod}^ 0845 

Length  of  hind  limb  to  heel 0505 

Width  of  head 032 

Hahits  and  Hahitat:  The  common  American  toad  is  our  best 
known  amphibian.  Tliis  is  due  To  its  abundance  and  to  tlie  fact 
that  it  is  common  in  gardens  and  aronnd  houses  so  tlmt  it  is  fre- 
quently seen.  It  a])pears  witli  tlie  first  warm  s])ring  days  and  is 
found  in  shaded  i)laces  until  fall.  Axlien  it  burrows  inio  the  ground 
and  hibernates  until  spring.  It  is  nocturnal  in  iinbii,  coming  out 
in  the  dusk  of  evening  to  search  for  food,  which  consists  mostly  of 
insects  and  their  larvae.  During  the  day  it  sits  in  lis  burrow, 
which  it  makes  by  backing  into  the  soft  earth  or  (knise  vegetation, 
and  sleeps.  It  is  so  protectively  coloi*ed  that  it  is  usually  very  hard 
to  distinguish  from  the  clods  of  earth  or  the  background  of  parti- 
ally shaded  vegetation  in  its  usual  haunts. 

The  i30pular  belief  that  toads  ar-e  poisonous  is  erroneous.  On 
the  contrary  they  are  ver^'  beneficial  to  man,  since  about  88%  of 
their  food  consists  of  garden  pests.  They  may  at  times,  especially 
when  roughlv  handled,  excrete  a  colorless,  odorless  and  harmless 
fluid  from  the  skin,  which  makes  them  somewhat  moist.  There  is 
also  an  excretion  from  the  parotid  gland  region,  and  this  is  slightly 


40 


HERPETOLOGY    OF    MICHIGAN. 


poisonous  if  taken  internally.  The  latter  affects  the  mucous  mem- 
brane of  the  mouth  and  protects  the  toad  Avhen  seized  by  dogs 
and  other  enemies. 

The  breeding  seasou  lasts  from  April  to  July.    The  first  specimen 
observed  by  the  writers  in  1911  was  found  on  the  evening  of  April 


DOMINION     OF    CANADA 


I  L  L  I  N  0    IS 


Fig.  10.     Distribution  of  Biifo  americanus. 
Horizontal  ruling,  specimens  examined;  vertical  ruling,  reports  only. 


26,  and  the  next  dav  lar^e  numbers  were  seen  on  their  Avav  to  the 
ponds.  The  males  seem  to  outnumber  the  females  and  struggle  to- 
gether for  their  possession.  A^'hell  disturbed.  I  lie  male  utters  a 
peculiar  chirping  sound  somewhat  like  the  scolding  of  a  chicken. 
The  souiLi'  consists  of  a  sweet  high  trill  that  is  bird-like  in  its  quality. 


AMPHIBIANS.  41 

The  eggs  are  laid  in  the  water  in  two  ven  kjng  strands  each  con- 
sisting of  a  roAV  of  eggs  embedded  in  a  gehitinous  mass.  They 
hatch  in  al)ont  fonr  days,  and  the  Lnrvae  remain  in  the  water  until 
the  final  metamorphosis  which  occurs  in  July.  The  toad  does  not 
start  breedinc;  until  it  is  about  four  vears  old,  and  it  may  live  for 
many  years.  Miss  Dickerson  tells  of  one  that  lived  for  thirtv-six 
years  and  then  was  killed  bv  an  accident. 

Distrihution:  Eastern  North  America,  west  to  Arizona  and 
Mexico.     (Dickerson,  1906.) 

Michigan:  Hpecimens  in  the  University  Museum  from  Keweenaw 
^sle  Royale),  Baraga,  Ontonagon,  Dickinson,  Cheboygan,  Craw- 
ford, Oceana,  Arenac  (Charity  Island),  Huron,  Ingham,  Washte- 
naAV,  Barry,  Allegan  and  Cass  Counties.  The  writers  have  also 
examined  specimens  from  Gratiot  County.  Reported  from  Eaton 
County  (Clark,  1902)  ;  Ontonagon  County  (Cope,  1889)  ;  Eaton, 
Kalamazoo,  Washtenaw  and  Montcalm  Counties  (Gibbs,  Xotestein 
and  Clark,  1905)  ;  Oakland  County  (Hankinson,  1908)  ;  Ontonagon 
(^ounty  (Eutliven,  1901a);  Keweenaw  (Isle  Royale),  Ontonagon, 
Baraga  and  Marquette  Counties  (Kuthven,  190())  ;  Keweenaw 
County  (Isle  Royale)  (Ruthven,  1909);  Cheboygan  County  (Ruth- 
veu,  1911)  ;  Huron  County  (Ruthven,  1911a)  ;  Cass  County 
(Thompson,  1911). 

HYLA  VERSICOLOR  Le  Conte. 

com:mox  tree  fkog. 
(PI.  Ill  b.) 

Description:  Form  toad  like.  Muzzle  blunt  in  outline.  Eyes 
prominent.  Toes  webbed  nearly  to  tips;  fingers  and  toes  with  large 
adhesive  disks.  Upper  surface  of  body  slightly  warty.  Lower  sur- 
face granulated.  A  large  fold  of  skin  across  the  chest.  Vomero- 
palatine  teeth  in  two  patches  just  behind  internal  nares.  Tongue 
very  large  and  fleshy,  slightly  notched  behind. 

Ground  color  gray,  green  or  brown  ^\■ith  irregular  dark  blotches. 
A  large  irregular  dark  star  on  upper  part  of  back.  Limbs  barred 
with  dark  brown.  A  dark  ear  patch  and  a  light  spot  under  the 
eye.  Under  parts  ])ale  yellow,  brighter  posteriorly.  Throat  some- 
times mottled  with  darker.  Concealed  leg  surfaces  vermiculated 
with  brown. 

^[('<lsure^)^€ilts:    Specimen  Xo.  30SO~). 

Length  of  head  and  body 014 

Length  of  hind  limb  to  heel 0375 

Width  of  head 0105 


42 


HERPETOLOGY    OF    MICHIGAN. 


Hahits  and  SPahitat:  The  common  tree  frog,  or  tree  toad  as  it  is 
frequently  called,  is  the  most  familiar  of  our  Hvlidae.  It  lives  for 
the  most  part  in  trees,  bushes  and  vines.  It  is  not  confined  to  the 
woods  alone  but  lives  also  in  orchards  and  in  the  vines  around 


DOMINION     OF    CANADA 


ILLINOIS      i 


e  M  I  c  A  c  0 


Fig.  11.     Distribution  of  HyZa  rersicotor. 
Horizontal  ruling,  specimens  examined;  verical  ruling,  reports  only. 

houses.  The  large  size  of  the  disks  on  the  fingers  and  toes  allow 
it  to  cling  to  smooth  vertical  surfaces  and  enable  it  to  catch  and 
hold  to  branches  when  it  climbs  from  place  to  place  among  the 
trees  and  bushes.  It  is  more  active  toward  night  when  it  is  search- 
ing for  food.  The  latter  consists  of  insects  and  larvae,  found  on  the 
tree  in  whose  leafv  branches  it  makes  its  home.     In  the  winter  it 


AMPHIBIANS.  43 

liibernates  in  hollows  of  trees  or  in  the  moss  at  their  roots.  This 
species  has  the  power  of  chanoin^-  its  color,  altb()n«»h  the  change 
is  not  rapid.  There  is  a  range  of  coUn-a  from  vei-y  liglit  yellow  and 
green  to  dai-k  brown  and  green.  The  color,  nnder  ordinary  circum- 
stances, corresponds  with  that  of  the  object  on  wliich  the  frog  is 
resting.  The  eggs  are  laid  in  3Iay.  in  small  gron])S  or  singly.  They 
are  attached  to  water  plants  or  grass  stems  and  hatch  in  abont 
forty-eight  hours.  After  hatching,  the  development  is  rapid,  the 
final  metamorphosis  taking  place  in  about  seven  weeks. 

Distrihutlon:    Canada,  south  to  Texas  and  Kansas.     ( Dickerson, 

190G.) 

Michigan  :  Specimens  in  the  University  Museum  from  Dickinson, 
Cheboygan,  Oceana,  Huron,  Livingston,  Oakland.  Washtenaw, 
Wayne  and  Cass  Counties.  Reported  from  Eaton  County  (Clark, 
1902)  ;  Washtenaw  and  Wayne  (\)mities  (Cope,  1889)  ;  Eaton,  Mont- 
calm, Kent,  Ottawa,  Barry  and  Van  Buren  Counties!  (Jibbs,  Note- 
stein  and  Clark,  1905)  ;  Oakland  County  (Hankinson,  1908)  ;  Mar- 
quette County  (Ruthven,  19(IG)  ;  Huron  County  ( Ruthven,  1911a)  ; 
Cass  County  (Thompson,  1911). 

HYL.A  PICKEKINGII  Holbrook. 

SPRING    PEEPER. 
(PI.  Illb.) 

Description:  Body  short  and  stout.  Muzzle  i)ointed,  upper  jaw 
extending  beyond  lower.  Ears  small.  Feet  moderately  webbed, 
disks  relatively  large.  Under  surface  granulated.  A  fold  of  skin 
across  the  chest.  Yomero-palatine  teeth  in  two  patches  behind  in- 
ternal nares.    Tongue  large,  slightly  notched,  and  free  behind. 

Ground  color  varies  from  light  to  dark  brown.  .V  dark  V  between 
the  eyes  and  a  large  oblicjue  dark  cross  on  the  back.  Limbs  in- 
definitelv  barred  with  darker.  A  dark  band  from  the  snout  through 
the  eye  to  the  side.  Under  surface  pale  yellow,  granulated,  darker 
posteriorly.     Usually  darker  blotches  on  throat  and  chest. 

Mcasurciitcnts:    ^peciiucii  \o.  31006. 

Length  of  head  and  bodv 021 

] Anigth  of  hind  limb  to  heel 0155 

Width  of  head 00G5 

Hahits  and  Hahitkft:  The  spring  peeper  is  tlie  smallest  of  the 
Hylidae.     During  the  summer  it  may  be  found  among  fallen  leaves 


44 


HBRPETOLOGY    OF    MICHIGAN. 


and  moss  in  damp  places,  the  color  being-  admirably  adapted  for 
concealment  in  sncli  sitnations.  Its  searcli  for  food,  which  consists 
mainly  of  small  insects  and  worms,  may  freqnently  take  it  to 
gardens  and  orchards,  and  it  has  even  been  fonnd  in  greenhouses. 


DOMINION     OF    CANADA 


I  L  L  I  N  0    IS 


rHiE 


Fig.   12.     Distribution  of  Hula  jnckeringii. 
Horizontal  ruling,  specimens  examined;  vertical  ruling,  reports  only. 

Dnrinu  ilie  Avinter  months  it  hibernates  nnder  the  moss  and  leaves 
or  in  hollow  trees.  Tlie  breeding  season  begins  early  and  lasts  until 
May.  The  frogs  sing  in  chorus  and  Tlieir  bird-like  call  is  one  of 
the  most  familiar  sounds  of  spring.  The  male  croaks  when  hidden 
under  moss  or  grass.  The  eggs  are  laid  in  April,  usually  singly, 
though   occasionally   in   suiall    masses,   and   are   attached   to  Avater 


AMPHIBIANS.  45 

plants.  Thev  are  very  small,  "so  small  that  tliov  look  like  tinv 
plant  seeds-'  (Diokerson,  1000,  p.  145).  The  time  of  development 
varies  from  six  to  twelve  days  according  to  the  tempei-atnre,  and 
metamorphosis  takes  place  in  about  two  months  after  hatching,  the 
little  tadpoles  nsnally  leaving  the  Avater  before  the  transformation 
is  completed. 

Distribution:  Eastern  North  America,  Canada  to  South  Caro- 
lina.     (Dickerson,  190G.) 

Michigan :  Specimens  in  the  University  Museum  from  Keweenaw 
(Isle  Royale),  Ontonagon,  Dickinson,  Houghton,  Baraga,  Huron, 
Washtenaw,  Cass  and  St.  Joseph  Counties.  Re})orted  from  Eaton 
County  (Clark,  1902)  ;  Wayne  and  Washtenaw  Counties  (Cope, 
1889)  ;  Van  Buren,  Eaton,  Kalamazoo,  xVntrim  and  Montcalm  Coun- 
ties (Gibbs,  Xotestein  and  Clark,  1905)  ;  Ontonagon  County  (Rut li- 
ven, 1904a)  ;  Ontonagon,  Baraga,  and  Houghton  Counties  (Ruth 
ven,  1906)  ;  Keweenaw  County  (Isle  Royale)  (Ruthven,  1909)  ; 
Huron  County  (Ruthven,  1911a);  Cass  County  (Thompson.  1011  j. 

ACRIS  GRYLLUS  Le  Conte. 

CRICKET    FROG. 

Description:  Form  frog  like.  Muzzle  ver^-  long  and  pointed. 
Disks  on  fingers  and  toes  small,  scarcely  noticeable.  Toes  webbed 
almost  to  tips.  Sole  tubercles  moderate  in  size.  Skin  above  with 
numerous  conspicuous  smooth  warts.  Under  surface  slightly  granu- 
lated posteriorly.  A  fold  of  skin  across  the  chest.  Vomerine  teeth 
in  two  patches  between  internal  nares.  Tongue  attached  in  front 
and  along  mid-line. 

Ground  color  variable,  usually  brown  or  green  with  a  dark  tri- 
angular mark  between  the  eyes.  Three  oblique  blotches  on  the 
sides.  Limbs  barred  or  spotted  with  dark.  A  light  line  from  eye 
to  arm.  Upper  \i\)  light  spotted  with  darker.  Concealed  surface 
of  femur  with  a  longitudinal  dark  stripe.  Under  surface  yellowish 
white,  throat  mottled  with  darker.  Coloration  of  male  may  be  so 
dark  that  markings  do  not  show. 

Jlctiisiircinents:    Spceinicii  A'o.  SO'il'3. 

I^ength  of  head  and  body 024 

Length  of  hind   limb   to  heel 025 

Width  of  head 0085 

Habits  and  Habitat:     The  cricket  frog  is  a  tree  fi-og  that  is  en- 


46 


HERPETOLOGY    OF    MICHIGAN. 


tirelv  terrestrial  in  its  habits.  It  is  iiuable  to  oliinb  trees  because 
of  the  extreme  smallness  of  the  disks  on  its  lingers  and  toes,  and  its 
agility  and  ability  to  accomplish  rapid  changes  in  coloration  are 
probably  its  principal  protection  from  enemies.    It  is  nsnally  found 


DOMINION     OF    CANADA 


I  L  L  I  N   0    IS 


-W  ERIE 


Fig.  13.     Distribution  of  Acris  gryllus. 
Horizontal  ruling,  specimens  examined:  vertical  ruling,  reports  only. 

in  large  numbers  along  the  banks  of  streams  or  ponds.  When  dis- 
turbed it  jumps  into  the  water  with  a  series  of  high  leaps  and 
buries  itself  in  the  mud,  from  which  it  soon  emerges.  This  species 
liibernates  during  the  cold  weather  but  soon  becomes  active  again 
during  warm  ])eriods.  The  food  consists  of  small  insects.  These 
frogs  sing  in  cliorus  during  the  months  of  April  and  May  and  the 


AMPHIBIANS.  47 

isolated  call  may  be  heard  all  snininer.  The  song  resembles  the 
chirping-  of  a  cricket,  hence  the  common  name,  cricket  frog.  The 
eggs  are  laid  in  April  or  May.  The  deyelopment  is  rather  slo\yer 
than  that  of  the  rest  of  the  Hylidae.  Miss  Dickerson  has  fonnd 
the  tadpoles  in  the  water  in  August  and  thinks  that  metamorphosis 
takes  place  in  Sej)tember. 

Distribution:  New  York  to  Florida,  \yest  to  Texas.  (Dickerson. 
1906.) 

Michigan :  Specimens  in  the  Uniyersity  Museum  from  Cheboy- 
gan, Livingston,  Washtenaw,  Calhoun,  Allegan  and  St.  Joseph 
Counties.  Reported  from  Eaton  County  (Clark,  1902)  ;  Antrim  and 
Eaton  Counties  (Gibbs,  Notestein  and  Clark,  1905)  ;  Cass  County 
(Thompson,  1911). 

CHOKOPHILUS  NIGRITUS  (L.e  Conte). 

SWAMP    TREE    FROO. 
(PI.  IV  a.) 

Description:  Body  frog  like.  Head  long  and  pointed;  upper  jaw 
protruding.  Eyes  prominent.  Toes  slightly  webbed;  disks  small, 
hardly  noticeable.  A  conspicuous  fold  across  chest.  Skin  granu- 
lated on  back  and  lower  surface.  Yomero-palatine  teeth  near  the 
I)OSterior  part  of  internal  nares.     Tongue  medium  in  size. 

Ground  color  changeable,  varying  from  light  to  dark  brown.  A 
dark  stripe  begins  at  the  snout  and  runs  back  through  the  eye  to 
the  posterior  part  of  the  body.  Upper  lip  with  a  light  stripe  and 
bordered  with  dark.  Usually  three  dark  longitudinal  stripes  on  the 
Ijack;  center  stripe  on  the  vertebral  line  and  sometimes  forking 
posteriorly  and  behind  the  eyes.  Limbs  indistinctly  barred  or 
spotted.    Under  surface  yellowish  white.    Throat  of  male  yelh)w. 

Measurements:    Specimen  No.  31921. 

Ticngth  of  head  and  body 017 

Length  of  hind  limb  to  heel 015 

Width  of  head OOG 

Hah  its  and  Hahitat:  The  swamp  tree  frog  is  found  in  marshes 
and  damp  jdaces  throughout  the  summer  and  fall.  During  this 
time  it  is  solitary  and  its  call  is  rarely  heard.  It  is  also  seldom 
seen  because  of  the  small  size  and  protective  coloration.  When  dis- 
turbed it  disappears  in  the  water,  but  it  is  a  very  poor  swinuner 


48 


HEKPETOLOGY    OF    MICHIGAN. 


and  soon  comes  back  to  land.  This  species  is  probably,  like  Acris 
grijUus,  nnable  to  rlinib  trees  because  of  the  small  size  of  the  disks 
on  the  fingers  and  toes.  The  food  consists  of  small  insects.  It 
comes  from  its  hibernation  early.     The  sono;  is  very  lond.     When 


"^r 


V\      DOMINION     OF    CANADA 


ILLINOIS      il 


c  x  t  c  *  c  e 


Fig.   14.     Dii-tribution  of  Choropkilus  n  gritus. 
Horizontal  ruling,  specimens  examined:  vertical  ruling,  reports  only. 

croaking,  the  male  sits  upright  in  the  water,  supporting  himself 
with  grass,  leaves  or  twigs,  and  sings  with  the  liead  and  vocal 
pouch  out  of  the  water.  When  disturbed,  he  sits  perfectly  still  and 
does  not  resume  his  song  until  the  source  of  alarm  has  passed.  The 
eggs  are  laid  in  ^farch  or  April  in  small  masses  containing  from 
five  to  twenty,  and  are  attached  to  water  plants.    The  devolopment 


AMPHIBIANS.  49 

is  rapid,  tlie  eggs  liatcliiiig  in  about  two  weeks.  Metamorphosis  is 
completed  early  in  June. 

Distribution:  Entire  United  States  and  novlli  in  Canada  to  the 
Hudson  Bay  region.     (Dickerson,  lOOG.) 

Michigan:  Specimens  in  the  University  Museum  from  Dickinson. 
Huron,  Washtenaw  and  St.  Jose})h  Counties.  The  writers  have 
also  examined  specimens  from  Gratiot  County.  Reported  from 
Eaton  County  (Clark,  1902)  ;  Antrim  and  Eaton  Counties  (Gibbs, 
Notestein  and  Clark,  1905);  Huron  County  (Ruthven,  1911a). 

KANA  PIPIENS  Shreber. 

LEOPARD    FROG. 
(PI.   IV  b.) 

Description:  Body  long  and  slender.  Head  long  and  pointed  at 
the  snout.  Lateral  folds  prominent;  there  may  be  several  smaller 
folds  between  them.  Skin  smooth  above;  under  surface  of  thighs 
slightly  granular.  A  glandular  fold  extending  from  corner  of 
mouth  over  the  shoulder.  Legs  long  and  very  powerful ;  feet  partly 
webbed,  webs  deeply  indented.  Tubercles  under  joints  of  toes 
prominent.    Vomerine  teeth  in  two  patches  between  internal  nares. 

Ground  color  green,  gra}^  or  brown  above.  Lateral  folds  lighter; 
between  them  two  irregular  rows  of  rounded  dark  spots  edged  with 
lighter.  Several  rows  of  smaller  rounded  spots  below  lateral  folds. 
Under  surface  j^ellowish  white,  frequently  with  dark  spots  across 
pectoral  region.  A  dark  line  extending  from  muzzle  to  shoulder 
through  eye;  light  lines  above  and  below  the  darker  line  make  the 
latter  more  noticeable.  Upper  surfaces  of  limbs  transversely  barred 
or  blotched  with  darker.  Concealed  surface  of  femur  venniculated 
with  brown. 

Aleasurements:    Specimen  No.  37S(W. 

Length  of  head  and  body 087 

Length  of  hind  limb  to  heel 077 

Width  of  head , 022 

Habits  and  Habitat:  The  leopard  frog  is  the  best  known  of  the 
Ranidae,  because  of  its  great  numbers  and  its  habit  of  travelling 
away  from  the  ponds  into  the  tields  in  search  of  food.  Its  green 
coloring  ])robably  serves  as  a  protection  from  its  enemies.  The 
leopard  frog  also  possesses  the  power  of  changing  ihe  ground  color 
to  a  limited  degree  to  suit  the  surroundings.  When  kept  in  the  lab 
7 


^0 


HERPETOLOGY    OF    MICHIGAN. 


oratory  in  a  dish  contoining  moss,  brown  specimens  turn  green  in 
a  few  days.  The  food  consists  of  worms,  insects  and  small  frogs.  It 
becomes  very  tame  in  captiyity  and  may  be  easily  handled.  Like  the 
rest  of  the  Ranidae,  the  species  hibernates  during  the  cold  weather 


-.   -V^    DOMINION     OF    CANADA 


ILLINOIS 


c  K  <  £  A  ';  o 


Fig.  15.     Distriljution  of  Rana  jipiens. 
Horizontal  ruling,  specimens  examined:  vertical  ruling,  reports  only. 


in  the  mud  and  under  stones,  but,  according  to  Hay  (1892a,  p.  G6), 
its  note  may  be  heard  "during  the  warmer  days  of  midwinter,"  and 
it  is  often  seen  at  such  times. 

This  frog  is  one  of  the  first  to  appear  in  the  spring,  the  breeding 
season  being  in  March  and  A])ri].  When  it  first  appears  it  is  al- 
most black  in  color,  but  soon  becomes  lighter.    The  eggs  are  laid  in 


AMFJbllBiAJNS.  51 

the  shallow  water  of  ponds  in  large  masses  which  may  float  freely  in 
the  water  but  are  usually  attached  to  sticks  or  plants.  Hankinson 
(1908)  found  unsegmented  eggs,  which  had  evidently  been  recently 
deposited,  in  Oakland  County,  April  8,  1907.  The  time  of  hatching 
varies  according  to  temperature,  but  under  ordinary  conditions  the 
tadpole  will  appear  in  about  ten  days.  The  metamorphosis  is  com- 
])leted  in  July  or  August  and  it  is  for  this  reason  that  this  species 
is  more  apt  to  be  raised  than  RaiUi  cateshcana  by  dealers.  Its  legs 
are  esteemed  as  an  article  of  food,  and  it  is  also  reared  or  collected 
in  considerable  numbers  to  su])ply  biological  laboratories. 

Distrihntion:  Common  in  North  America,  east  of  Sierra  Nevada 
Mountains.     (Dickerson,  190G.) 

Michigan :  Specimens  in  the  University  Museum  from  Houghton, 
Ontonagon,  Iron,  Dickinson,  Cheboygan,  Crawford,  Iosco,  Arenac 
(Charity  Island),  Huron,  Oceana,  Barry,  Oakland,  Livingston, 
Washtenaw,  Allegan,  Calhoun,  Kalamazoo,  Cass  and  St.  Joseph 
Counties.  The  writers  have  also  examined  specimens  from  Gratiot 
(Jounty.  Reported  from  Eaton  County  (Clark,  1902)  ;  St.  Clair 
County  (Cope,  1889)  ;  Eaton,  Van  Buren,  St.  Joseph,  Montcalm. 
Kent,  Ottawa,  Antrim,  Kalamazoo  and  Barry  Counties  (Gibbs. 
Notestein  and  Clark,  1905)  ;  Oakland  County  (Hankinson,  1908)  ; 
Ontonagon  County  (Ruthven,  1901a)  ;  Ontonagon,  Houghton  and 
Marquette  Counties  (Ruthven,  1906)  ;  Cheboygan  County  (Ruthven, 
1911)  ;  Huron  County  (Ruthven,  1911a)  :  Cass  County  (Thompson, 
1911). 

KANA  PAL.USTRIS  Le  Coute. 

PICKEREL   FROG. 
(PI.   IV  b.) 

Descnpiion:  Body  slender.  Lateral  fold  very  broad  but  not 
elevated.     Skin  more  or  less  smooth.     Lender    surface    of    thighs 


slightly    granular.     Eyes  prominent.     Glandular  fold  from  eve  to 
shoulder.     No  external  vocal  i)Ouch. 

Ground  color  always  some  shade  of  brown,  with  two  rows  of 
more  or  less  square  spots  of  dark  brown  between  the  lateral  folds, 
and  two  lows  of  smaller  brown  spots  beneath.  Lateral  folds 
lighter  than  ground  color.  L'nder  surface  white  anteriorly,  bright 
yellow  posteriorly.  The  yelloAV  may  extend  along  the  sides  and  out 
under  the  fore  arms.  A  consj)icu()us  light  line  from  eye  to  shoulder. 
Upper  surface  of  limbs  barred  with  brown.  Jaws  marked  as  in  it. 
pipiens.    A  brown  spot  on  the  snout  and  one  above  each  eye. 


52 


HERPETOLOGY    OF    MICHIGAN. 


Measurements:    Specimen  Xo.  .'/Wll. 


Length  of  head  and  body 070 

Length  of  hind  limb  to  heel •. 001 

Width  of  head 019 


Fig.  16.     Distribution  of  Rana  palustris. 
Horizontal  ruling,  specimen?  examined:  vertical  ruling,  reports  only 


HaJjits  and  Hahitat:  In  habits  Rana  palustris  closely  resembles- 
liana  pipiens.  It  lives  along  streams,  ditches,  abont  cold  springs 
and  ponds,  and  is  very  hard  to  capture  because  of  its  great-  agility 
and  its  protective  coloration.  When  resting  on  a  pile  of  dried 
leaves,  such  as  is  often  found  along  the  banks  of  streams  or  ponds. 


AMPHIBIANS.  53 

it  is  almost  impossible  to  distin^nish  tlie  froo-  from  its  siiiTomid- 
iiigs.  When  frightened  it  makes  several  long  leaps  in  quick  suc- 
'tession.  The  food  probably  consist  of  insects,  small  Crustacea  and 
snails.  The  common  name  "pickerel  frog"  is  due  to  the  fact  that 
the  species  is  frequently  used  as  bait  in  pickerel  fishing.  It  is  of 
no  food  value  because  of  the  disagreeable  odor. 

The  breeding  season  of  Rana  pahistris  is  April  and  May.  The 
croaking  of  the  males  is  said  to  resemble  the  sound  made  by  the 
tearing  of  coarse  cloth.  The  eggs  are  laid  during  May  and  the 
early  development  is  rapid.  The  metamorphosis  usually  takes  place 
in  ,July  or  August,  but  under  adverse  conditions  transformation 
may  be  delaved  until  the  next  vear. 

Distrihutioa:  Eastern  North  America,  north  to  Hudson's  Bav 
and  west  to  the  Great  Plains.     (Dickerson,  190G.) 

Michigan :  Specimens  in  the  University  Museum  from  Washte- 
naw, Barry,  Calhoun,  Kalamazoo,  Livingston  and  Cass  Counties, 
lieported  from  W^ayne  County  (Cope,  1889)  ;  Wayne,  Kalamazoo, 
Montcalm  and  Van  Buren  Counties  (Gibbs,  Xotestein  and  Clark, 
1905)  ;  Ontonagon  County  (Kuthven,  1904a)  ;  Washtenaw  County 
(Smith,  1879)  ;  Cass  County  (Thompson,  1911). 

This  species  has  been  reported  from  Michigan  by  several  writers, 
but  until  this  ^^ear  there  were,  with  the  exception  of  one  from  Liv- 
ingston Count}',  no  specimens  in  the  University  Museiun.  The 
writers  have  found  it  to  be  rather  common  in  the  vicinitv  of  Ann 
Arbor,  and  have  taken  it  in  Kalamazoo  and  Calhoun  Counties  and 
in  large  numbers  in  Cass  County  (Thompson,  1911),  and  have  re- 
ceived two  specimens  collected  by  Miss  Jessie  McNall  in  Barry 
County,  so  that  the  species  is  without  doubt  quite  common  through- 
out the  southern  part  of  the  southern  peninsula.  The  Ontonagon 
record  is  erroneous  and  the  other  records  need  to  be  verified  for  the 
species  is  easily  confused  Avith  7?.  plpiens. 

KANA  CLAMITANS  Latreille. 

GREEN   FROG. 

(PI.  y.) 

Description:  Body  stout.  Head  thick,  muzzle  pointed.  Eyes 
large  and  close  together.  Skin  of  back  rough.  Back  of  femur 
granulated.  Lateral  folds  conspicuous.  Toes  broadly  Avebbed, 
leaving  last  two  joints  of  fourth  toe  free.  Tubercles  on  joints  of 
toes  and  inner  sole  tubercles  distinct.  Ear  of  male  larger 
than  eye.  A^omerine  teeth  in  tAvo  patches  between  or  behind  the 
internal  nares. 


54  HERPETOLOGY    OF    MICHIGAN. 

Ground  color  variable,  iis=>iiallY  brownish  green  with  small  dark 
spots.  Head  and  shoulders  bright  green.  Sometimes  a  light  band, 
widening  anteriorly,  from  shoulder  to  jaw.  Limbs  barred  with 
darker.  Posterior  i)art  of  femur  finely  vermieulated  with  bro\^^l. 
Under  surface  yellowish  white,  throat  of  female  spotted. 

Measurements:    Specimen  No.  36827. 

Leniith  of  head  and  bodv 07f) 

Length  of  hind  limb  to  heel 062 

Width  of  head 028 

Hal)its  rntfl  Hahitat:  The  green  frog  is  thoroughly  nquatic  in  its 
habits,  never  travelling  far  from  the  water.  It  may  be  found  along 
the  edge  of  small  streams,  pools  and  cold  springs.  It  is  rather 
solitary  and  timid,  wlien  frightened  disappearing  quickly  in  the 
water.  It  is  very  much  like  the  bullfrog  in  appearance  and  habits, 
but  mav  be  readilv  distinguished  bv  the  lateral  folds  and  the  smaller 
webs  on  the  feet.  The  food  consists  of  insect  larvae,  small  crusta- 
ceans, small  frogs  and  insects.  It  comes  early  from  hibernation. 
The  song,  which  is  low  pitched  and  explosive  in  character,  is  usu- 
ally heard  in  March.  The  eggs  are  laid  in  April,  in  large  masses 
supported  in  the  water  by  twigs  or  water  plants.  The  early  develop- 
ment is  rapid,  but  metamorx)hosis  is  delayed  till  the  second  summer 
and  sometimes  the  third.  Hay  (1892a)  states  that  the  tadpoles 
are  vegetarians  and  never  carnivorous. 

DistrihutiOii :  (%»unuon  throughout  eastern  Xortli  America,  in- 
cluding Canada  and  Florida.     (Dickerson,  1906.) 

Michigan :  ^^pecimeus  in  the  LTniversity  Museum  from  Keweena\^- 
(Isle  Royale),  Baraga,  Ontonagon,  Houghton,  Dickinson,  Cheboy- 
gan, Crawford,  Alcona,  Iosco,  Arenac  (Charity  Island),  Huron. 
Oceana,  Barry,  Livingston,  Oakland,  Wayne,  Washtenaw,  Cass  and 
St.  Joseph  Counties.  The  writers  have  also  examined  specimens 
from  Gratiot  County.  Keported  from  Eaton  County  (Clark,  1902)  : 
St.  Clair  and  Wayne  Counties  (Cope,  1889)  ;  Eaton,  Yan  Bureu, 
Antrim,  Kalamazoo  and  Montcalm  Counties  (Gibbs,  Notestein  and 
Clark,  1905)  ;  Oakland  County  (Hankinson,  1908)  ;  Lenawee 
County  (Kirsch,  1895)  ;  Baraga  and  Ontonagon  Comities  (Ruthven. 
1906)  ;  Keweenaw  Comity  (Isle  Royale)  (Ruthven,  1909)  ;  Cheboy- 
gan County  (Ruthven,  1911)  ;  Huron  County  (Ruthven,  1911a)  ; 
Cass  County  (Thompson,  1911). 


AMPHIBIANS. 


55 


ILLINOIS 


CHICAGO 


Fig.  17.     Distribution  of  Rana  clamitans. 
Horizontal  ruling,  specimens  examined;  vertical  ruling,  reports  only 


KA.NA  CANTABKIGENSrS  Baircl. 


AVOOD    FROG. 


(Pi.  IV  a.) 

Descriptioit:  Body  slender,  uiuzzle  ])oiiited.  rpiiei-  surface 
slightly  gTaniilated ;  posterior  surface  of  feiiuir  graimlar.  Lateral 
folds  conspicuous.  Toes  long  and  slender,  webbed  almost  to  the 
tip.  Inner  sole  tubercle  present.  A'onierine  teeth  in  two  patches 
between  or  behind  internal  nares. 

Ground  color  varies  from  light  to  reddish  and  dark  brown.     Tri- 


oC) 


HERPETOLOGY    OF    MICHIGAN. 


angular  dark  spot  back  of  eve  covering  ear.  Light  line  along  npper 
jaw  reaching  to  shoulder.  .  Limbs  barred.  Sides  may  be  obscurely 
spotted  with  dark.  Concealed  surface  of  femur  vermiculated. 
I'nder  surface  yellowish  white,  sometimes  mottled  with  dark. 


DOMINION     OF    CANADA 


ILLINOIS 


ERIE 


Fig.   18.     Distribution  of  Rana  cantdbrigensis. 
Horizontal  ruling,  specimens  examined;  vertical  ruling,  reports  only. 

Measurements:.  Specimen  No.  3j2.^3. 
Length  of  head  and  body 030 


Leno'th  of  hind  limb  to  heel 


.032 


Width  of  head 01^ 


Habits  and  Habitat:     The  northern   wood    frog,    Rana    canta 


?-«,' 


AMPHIBIANS.  57 

drigensis,  is  one  of  the  most  terrestrial  of  o\ir  frogs  and  is  usually 
fouud  in  thick,  wooded  places,  among  dead  leaves  or  moss.  It  is 
very  difficult  to  see  because  of  the  ])rotective  coloration,  the  dark 
brown  or  grayish  coloring  blending  into  the  surroundings  to  such 
an  extent  that  one  may  almost  step  on  individuals  before  seeing 
them,  and  the  black  ear  patch  and  the  light  line  along  the  side  of 
the  head  also  seem  to  be  ])rotective.  When  disturbed  the  frog  is 
very  active,  leaping  quickly  away.  It  becomes  very  tame  in  cap- 
tivity. The  wood  frog  is  among  the  first  of  the  Ranidae  to  come  out 
in  the  spring.  The  hoarse  clacking  song  of  the  males  may  be  heard 
during  the  latter  part  of  March  and  early  in  April.  The  male  has 
no  external  vocal  pouch,  but  the  throat  and  the  parts  of  the  body 
over  the  lungs  expand.  Unlike  the  males  of  other  species,  he  floats 
oi'  swims  in  the  water  while  croaking.  The  eggs  are  laid  in  ponds, 
either  in  the  woods  or  fields,  in  masses  which  are  usually  attached 
to  water  plants.  They  are  very  small  and  are  surrounded  by  a 
gelatinous  envelope.  The  time  of  development  varies  greatly  ac- 
cording to  temperature.  Eggs  brought  into  the  laboratory  hatch 
in  four  days,  but  the  development  of  those  left  in  the  ponds  is 
much  slower.  Metamorphosis  usually  takes  place  some  time  during 
May  or  June.  The  young  tadpoles  are  very  carnivorous,  living 
mostly  on  decaying  animal  matter  in  the  ponds. 

Distrihutlon:  Northern.  "Reported  from  Illinois,  ^lichigan, 
Wisconsin  and  Minnesota  northward  to  Great  Slave  Lake  on  the 
west  and  St.  James  Bay  on  the  east.-'     (Dickerson,  190G,  p.  212.) 

Michigan  :  Specimens  in  the  University  Museum  from  Keweenaw 
(Isle  Royale),  Ontonagon,  Baraga,  Dickinson,  ^Mackinac,  Cheboy- 
gan, Iosco,  Huron,  Livingston  and  Washtenaw  Counties.  The 
writers  have  also  examined  specimens  from  Gratiot  County.  Re- 
I)orted  from  Eaton  County  (Clark,  1902)  ;  Eaton,  Kalamazoo,  An- 
trim, Yau  Buren  and  Montcalm  Counties  (Gibbs,  Notestein  and 
Clark,  1905  I  ;  Lenawee  County  (Kirsch,  1895)  ;  Ontonagon  County 
(Ruthveu,  1901:a)  ;  Keweenaw  (Isle  Royale),  Baraga  and  Ontona- 
gon Counties  (Ruthven,  190G)  ;  Keweenaw  County  (Isle  Royale) 
(Ruthven.  1909)  ;  Cheboygan  County  (Ruthven.  1911)  ;  Huron 
County   (Ruthven,  1911a). 

KANA  SEPTENTKIONALIS  Baird. 

NORTHERN    FROG. 

Dmcription:  Body  stotit.  Head  rounded,  narrow  in  front.  Eyes 
large  and  close  together.  Skin  smooth,  slighth*  granulated  on  ^sides 
and  posterior  part  of  femUr.    Feet  fully  webbed.     Inner  sole  tuber- 


58 


HERPETOLOGY    OF    MICHIGAN. 


cle  large  with  cutting  edge.    A'omerine  teeth  in  two  patches  jnst  be- 
hind internal  nares. 

Ground  color  light  olive  brown,  nsnally  with  large  dark  brown 
blotches.     Upper  surface  of  jaw  from  snout  to  eye  ligliter  in  color. 


.Ji^O0N\lN\0ti     OF    CANADA 


I  L  L  I  N   0    IS 


Fig.   19.     Distribution  of  Rana  septentrionalis, 
Horizontal  ruling,  specimens  examined;  vertical  ruling,  reports  only. 


Large  irregular  l)lotches  or  bands  on  limbs.  Under  surface  light 
yellow.  Concealed  surface  of  femur  strongly  vermiculated  with 
broAvn. 

Measurements:    Spcciiiioh  No.  Ji027o. 

Lenc^th  of  head  and  bodv 


0G2 

Length  of  hind  limb  to  heel 051 


Width  of  head 


.020 


AMPHIBIANS.  59 

Hahits  and  Haliitat-:  The  iioi'therii  or  liiiiik  frog  is  distinctly 
aquatic.  It  has  been  said  not  to  freqnent  lakes  or  ponds,  but  in  the 
Northern  Peninsula  Ruthven  (1910)  has  found  it  more  character- 
istic of  the  inland  lakes  than  of  the  streams.  Wlion  frightened,  it 
stays  for  a  long  time  under  water.  It  is  solitary  in  habits,  and 
never  stravs  far  from  the  shores  of  the  rivers  and  lakes.  The  food 
consists  of  water  insects  and  small  fish.  The  eggs  of  this  frog  are 
laid  in  June  and  July,  and  are  attached  to  water  plants.  Two 
years  are  required  for  the  full  development  and  metamorphosis 
(Dickerson,  190G,  p.  225).  When  annoyed  it  gives  otf  a  strong 
musky  odor,  somewhat  resembling  that  of  the  mink,  and  because 
of  this  odor  it  is  frequently  called  the  ''mink  frog.'' 

Dlstrihution:  Adirondack  Mountains  to  ^linnesota  and  Ontario. 
(Dickerson,  190G.) 

Michigan :  Specimens  in  the  University  Museum  from  Keweenaw 
(Isle  Royale),  Ontonagon,  Houghton  and  Dickinson  Counties.  Re- 
l^orted  from  Ontonagon  and  Marquette  Counties  (Ruthven,  1906)  ; 
Keweenaw  County  (Isle  Romaic)  (Ruthven,  1909)  ;  Dickinson 
County   (Ruthven,  1910). 

RANA  CATESBEAXA  Shaw. 

COMMON    BULLFROG. 

Description:  Body  large  and  stout,  head  broad.  Eyes  large  and 
prominent.  Ear  of  male  larger  than  eye.  Glandular  fold  from  eye 
to  arm,  curving  behind  ear.  Xo  lateral  folds.  P>ack  and  under 
surface  slightly  granular.  Feet  webbed,  leaving  last  joint  of  fourtli 
toe  free.     Inner  sole  tubercle  distinct. 

Ground  color  greenish  brown,  sometimes  spotted  with  darker. 
Limbs  spotted  or  barred.  Under  surface  j^ellowish  white,  usually 
mottled  with  darker. 

Jlfeasurements:    Specimen  No.  JjOOIS. 

Length  of  head  and  body 130 

Length  of  hind  limb  to  heel 098 

Width  of  head 017 

Hahits  and  Hahitat:  liana  catcsJjcana,  the  connnon  bullfrog,  is 
the  largest  of  our  frogs.  It  does  not  al'ways  follow,  however,  that 
the  individual  I*,  catesheami  is  larger  than  the  individual  R.  clam- 
itans  or  R.  piplens,  since  the  size  depends  upon  the  food  and  en- 
vironment. The  bullfrog  is  aquatic  in  its  habits,  being  found  during 
the  summer  in  large  ponds  or  lakes,  usually  those  with  mud  bottoms 


60 


HERPETOLOGY    OF    MICHIGAN. 


and  with  deep  as  well  as  shallow  water.  It  is  a  powerful 
swimmer,  due  to  the  fact  that  the  toes  are  fullv  webbed  and 
the  hind  limbs  are  long  and  well  developed.  The  food  consists  of 
fish,  young  turtles,  young  water  birds,  frogs,  small  snakes  and  in- 
sects. 


I  L  L  I  N   0    IS 


Fig.  20.     Distribution  of  Rana  catesheana. 
Horizontal  ruling,  specimens  examined;  vertical  ruling,  reports  only. 


The  bullfrog  is  solitary  in  habit  except  during  the  breeding 
season  and  even  then  it  sings  alone  and  not  in  chorus.  The  song- 
consists  of  a  deep  bass  note  that  resembles  the  roaring  of  a  bull; 
from  this  it  gets  the  common  name,  the  bullfrog.  It  is  late  in  com- 
ing from  its  hibernation  quarters,  the  eggs  being  laid  in  May  or 
early  June.     ^letamorpliosis  does  not  take  place  until  the  second 


AMPHIBIANS.  61 

year  and  may  be  delayed  until  the  third  if  the  environment  is  un- 
favorable. This  species  is  of  ,<>reat  economic  importance  because  of 
its  value  as  food,  the  legs  being  considered  a  great  delicacy  by 
many  people.  The  frog  may  be  caught  in  the  day  time  on  a  hook 
and  line  baited  with  a  bit  of  red  flannel.  They  are  frequently 
hunted  at  night  with  lanterns,  the  light  blinding  them  so  that  they 
may  be  easily'  sj)eared  by  the  hunter. 

Distrihution:  East  of  the  Kocky  ^Toun tains,  including  Florida 
and  Texas.      (Dickerson,  lOOG.) 

Michigan:  Specimens  in  the  University  ^luseuni  from  Che])oygan, 
Iosco,  Huron,  Livingston,  Washtenaw  and  Cass  Counties.  Reported 
from  Eaton  County  (Clark,  1902)  ;  Eaton,  Kalamazoo,  Van  Buren, 
Antrim,  Montcalm,  Kent,  Ottawa,  Barry  and  St.  Joseph  Counties 
(Gibbs,  Notesteiu  and  Clark,  1905)  ;  *Ontonagon  County  (Ruthven, 
1904a)  ;  Cheboygan  County  (Ruthven,  1911)  ;  Huron  County  (Ruth- 
ven, 1911a)  ;  Washtenaw  County  (Smith,  1879)  ;  Cass  County 
(Thompson,  1911). 

GLOSSARY. 

Angle  of  the  jaw. — Point  of  articulation  of  the  two  jaws. 

Anus. — External  opening  of  the  intestine. 

Branchiae.^ — External  branched  gills. 

Caudal  fin.— The  tail  fin. 

Compressed. — Flattened  from  side  to  side. 

Costal  grooves. — Grooves  on  the  sides  of  the  body,  indicaling  the 
position  of  the  ribs. 

Cranial  crests. — Bony  ridges  extending  back  between  the  e^'es. 

Depressed.^ — ^Flattened  from  above  downward. 

Disks. — The  enlarged  and  adhesive  pads  on  the  ends  of  the 
fingers  and  toes. 

Dorsal  groove. — A  depression  along  the  back. 

Femur. — ^The  upper  or  jjroximal  bone  of  the  leg. 

Fronto-parietal  crests. — Crests  in  front  of,  and  between  the  eyes. 

Genital  openings. — External  openings  of  the  genital  ducts. 

Gills. — Organs  for  breathing  the  air  contained  in  water. 

Glandular. — Swollen  and  gland  like. 

Gular  fold. — A  transverse  fold  of  skin  across  the  throat. 

Hibernate. — To  refrain  from  an  active  condition,  to  remain  in  a 
torpid  state  over  winter. 


*Rana  catesbeana  has  been  reported  from  Ontonagon  County  by  Ruthven  (190ia) 
but  the  specimens  were  later  identified  by  Stejneger  as  somewhat  anomalous  specimens  of 
Rana  clamitans  (Ruthven,  1906). 


62  HERPETOLOGY    OF    MICHIGAN. 

Lateral  folds. — Gland  like  folds  extending  along  the  sides  of  the 
back. 

^Maxillary. — The  bone  of  the  npper  jaw,  back  of  the  premaxillarv. 
It  forms  the  greater  part  of  the  npper  jaw  and  may  bear  teeth. 

MaxillarA'  teeth. — Teeth  borne  on  the  maxillary  bone. 

Metamorphosis. — Change  from  the  laryal  to  the  adnlt  condition. 

Metarsal  tubercles. — Tubercles  on  the  toes. 

Mucous  membrane. — Membrane  lining  the  mouth. 

Xares. — ^Nostrils;  the  external  openings  are  called  external  nares, 
the  internal  openings  internal  nares. 

Palatine. — A  pair  of  bones  just  behind  the  yomers  and  extending 
transyersely  across  .the  skull. 

Parasphenoid. — The  large  broad  bone  in  the  roof  of  the  mouth 
wliich  forms  the  floor  of  the  brain  case. 

ParaspJienoid  teeth.— Teeth  borne  on  the  parasphenoid  bone. 

Parotid  glands. — Eleyated  glandular  bodies  found  back  of  the 
eye  in  toads. 

Pectoral. — Pertaining  to  the  shoulder  or  breast. 

Plantar  tubercles. — Tubercles  on  the  palm. 

Postorbital  crests. — Bony  crests  extending  behind  the  eye. 

Premaxillary. — The  two  bones,  one  on  either  side,  in  front  of  the 
maxillaries.  They  unite  to  form  the  anterior  angle  of  the  upper 
jaw. 

Prenaaxillary  teeth. — Teeth  borne  on  the  i)remaxillary  bone. 

Protectiye  coloration. — Coloration  of  such  a  character  that  it 
seryes  to  conceal  the  animal  in  the  natural  surroundings. 

Ivudimentary. — Xot  well  deyeloped.     Degenerate. 

Scuted. — Haying  scutes  or  scales. 

Segmentation.— The  cleayage  of  the  eggs  which  takes  place  after 
fertilization. 

Sole  tubercles. — Small  callous  like  projections  on  the  sole  of  the 
foot. 

Spawning. — The  act  of  depositing  the  eggs. 

Sperm, — The  male  sex  element. 

Spermatophores.— Small  mushroom  like  bodies  containing  the 
s])erm,  deposited  in  the  water  by  the  male  of  some  species  during 
the  breeding  season. 

Vermiculated. — Coyered  with  fine  irregular  color  marks. 

Vertebral. — Pertaining  to  the  yertebrae  or  spinal  column. 

Viridescent. — Greenish. 

Vomer. — A  pair  of  bones  in  front  of  the  parasphenoid  and  form- 
ing the  floor  of  the  olfactory  capsule. 

Vomero-palatine  teeth. — Teeth  borne  on  the  yomerine  and  pala- 
tine bones. 


REPTILES.  63 


THE  REPTILES  OF  MICHIGAN. 

BY   ALEXANDER    G.    RUTHVEN.     - 

INTRODUCTION. 

lu  the  (Ji)iiiiun  of  the  writer,  the  inadequateness  of  the  avaiUible 
iuformation  on  the  reptiles  of  Michigan  may  be  attributed  in  part 
to  the  fact  that  there  is  no  available  manual  on  the  subject  suitable 
for  the  use  of  local  students.  The  literature  consists,  with  few  ex- 
ceptions, of  a  few  general  and  local  lists  and  incidental  references 
to  Michigan  specimens  in  general  Avorks  on  herpetologv.  Aside  from 
their  limitations  as  lists  the  more  general  papers  are  all  more  or 
less  erroneous  and  antiquated,  and  the  local  lists  at  best  deal  with 
too  widely  separated  localities  to  be  of  general  interest.  The  other 
records  have,  of  course,  the  disadvantage  of  being  widely  scattered. 
It  is  hoped  that  this  report  will  furnish  an  accurate  summary  of 
our  present  knowledge  of  the  subject,  and  also  serve  to  encourage 
further  work. 

LITERATURE. 

The  publications  which  treat  either  entirely  or  in  part  of  Michi- 
gan specimens  are  as  follows: 

1.  Sager,  Abraham.  Senate  Doc,  State  of  Michigan,  1S30,  pp. 
294-305.  A  list  of  Michigan  reptiles  collected  by  the  State  Geologi- 
cal and  Natural  History  Survey.  No  localities  or  other  data  given. 
Copied  in  Senate  Documents  of  the  same  year. 

2.  Holbrook,  J.  E.  North  American  Herpefology,  1842.  Gives 
"Michigan''  in  the  range  of  several  species. 

3.  Baird,  S.  F.  and  Girard,  C.  Catalogue  of  North  American 
Reptiles,  1853.  Specimens  of  Elaphc  tidpiuus,  i^toreria  dckayi, 
>^istrurihs  caicnatus,  Natrix  sipcdon  and  Rcfjinu  Ichcris  listed  from 
Michigan  and  two  new  species,  Bascuuion  foxil  and  Xerodia  agas- 
sizii,  described  on  the  basis  of  Michigan  material. 

4.  Hallowell,  Edward.  Proc.  Acad,  of  Nat.  Sci.  Philadelphia. 
1856,  p.  310.  A  description  of  a  specimen  of  Euuicccs  quinqucJine- 
oius  frouL  rlie  neighborhood  of  Flint,  Michigan,  as  a  new  species — 
Plestiodon  r i 1 1 if/criim . 

5.  A2:assiz.  Louis.     Contributions  to  the  Natural  Historv  of  the 


64  HERPETOLOGY    OF    MICHIGAN. 

United  States,  I,  1857.     Several  species  of  turtles  recorded  from 
Michigan. 

6.  ^liles.  Manly.  A  Catalogne  of  the  Mammals,  Birds,  Reptiles 
and  Molluscs  of  Michigan.  1st.  Bien.  Kept.  Geol.  Snrv.  of  Mich., 
1861,  pp.  219-241.  A  list  of  the  reptiles  known  to  occnr  in  the  state 
with  a  few  foot-note  records  of  localities. 

7.  Smith,  W.  H.  Catalogne  of  the  Reptilia  and  Amphibia  of 
Michigan,  Snpp.  to  Science  News,  1879.  A  list  of  Michigan  reptiles 
based  on  the  specimens  in  the  University  of  Michigan  Mnseum  and 
the  fjrivate  collection  of  the  writer.  Xo  data  is  given  but  those 
fonnd  in  the  vicinitv  of  Ann  Arbor  are  indicated  bv  a  star. 

8.  Gibbs,  M.  Forest  and  Stream,  XXXIX,  1892,  p.  7.  I  have 
not  been  able  to  consult  this  article. 

9.  Stejneger,  I^onhard.  Kept.  U.  S.  Xat.  Mus.,  1893,  pp.  337-487. 
States  that  h'lstninis  caienatiis  is  common  in  parts  of  Michigan. 

10.  Kirsch,  Philip.  Bull.  U.  S.  Fish  Comm.,  XIV,  1895,  p.  333. 
Several  species  of  reptiles  listed  from  points  in  lower  Michigan. 

11.  Cope,  E.  I).  The  Crocodilians,  Lizards  and  Snakes  of  North 
America.  Kept.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  1898  (1900),  pp.  153-1270.  Con- 
tains records  of  Michigan  specimens  of  several  species. 

12.  Gibbs,  M.     Herpetology  of  Kalamazoo    County',    Michigan, 
Wolverine  Naturalist,  Feb.  1900,  pp.  12-13.    Crotalus  Iwrridus  (one 
specimen)     and    ^Istrurus    caienatus    recorded    from    Kalamazoo-* 
Countv  with  notes  on  the  habits  of  the  latter. 

13.  Clark,   H.   L.     Notes  on   the  Reptiles  and   Batrachians  of 
Eaton  County,  Michigan.     4tli.  Ann.  Rept.  Mich.  Acad.  Sci.,  1902^ 
pp.  192-194.     A  list  of  the  reptiles  of  Eaton  County,  with  miscelr . 
laneous  notes  on  size,  abundance,  variation,  etc. 

14.  Clark,  H.  L.  The  Water  Snakes  of  Southern  Michigan. 
Amer.  Naturalist,  XXXYII,  1903,  pp.  1-23.  A  careful  statistical 
study  of  the  water  snake  (A.  sipedon)  on  the  basis  of  material  col- 
lected in  Eaton  County,  Mich.  The  writer  concludes  that  the  red- 
bellied  specimens  {cri/throgaster)  represent  a  distinct  species. 
Notes  on  the  habits  of  N.  sipedon  and  Regina  leheris. 

15.  Clark,  H.  L.  Notes  on  Michigan  Snakes.  5th  Ann.  Rept. 
Mich.  Acad.  Sci.,  1903,  pp.  172-174.  Miscellaneous  notes  on  Natrix 
sipedon^  Bascanion  constrictor,  Elaplie  ohsoletus,  Lainpropeltis  dol- 
iatiis  trianguJus,  and  the  garter-snakes. 

16.  Clark,  H.  L.  The  Short-Mouthed  Snake  {Eutuinia  hrachy- 
stoma  Cope)  in  Southern  Michigan.  Proc.  Biol.  Soc.  Wash.,  XYI, 
])p.  83-88.  A  discussion  of  the  characters,  variation  and  habits  of 
si:)ecimens  of  Thdiiniophis  hutJeri  colllected  in  Eaton  county. 


REPTILES.  65 

17.  SpeiT}',  W.  L.  Variation  in  the  Common  Garter  Snake 
{TJiamnopMs  sirtalis) .  5th  Ann.  Kept.  Mich.  Acad.  Sci.,  1903,  pp. 
175-179.  A  discussion  of  the  variation,  scutellation  and  tail-length 
of  specimens  of  T.  sirtalis  from  Eaton  Count^^  Some  of  the  speci- 
mens are  referred  (erroneously)  to  1\  sirtalis  parietalis\ 

18.  Ruthven,  Alexander  G.  Butler's  Garter  Snake.  Biol.  Bull., 
VII,  1904,  pp.  289-299.  In  this  paper  the  writer  records  Tharrmo- 
phis  hiftlerl  from  several  localities  in  southern  Michigan,  shows  the 
distinctness  of  the  form  from  T.  sirtalis  and  that  the  specimens  re- 
fered  by  Clark  to  T.  hrachystoma  are  referable  to  it,  discusses  the 
habits,  distribution,  characters,  variations  and  affinities  and  gives 
the  synonomy  and  a  list  of  the  known  specimens. 

19.  Ruthven,  Alexander  G.  Notes  on  the  Molluscs,  Reptiles  and 
Amphibians  of  Ontonagon  County,  Michigan.  6th  Ann.  Rept.  Mich. 
Acad.  Sci.,  1904,  pp.  188-192.  Records  of  the  species  collected  by 
the  writer  in  the  Porcupine  Mountains,  Michigan,  in  1903,  with 
notes  on  their  occurrence. 

20.  Clark,  H.  L.  A  Preliminary  List  of  the  Amphibia  and  Rep- 
tilia  of  Michigan.  7th  Ann.  Rept.  Mich.  Acad.  Sci.,  1905,  pp.  109- 
110.  This  list,  compiled  with  the  assistance  of  Morris  Gibbs  and  F. 
Notestein,  i^urports  to  be  a  list  of  Michigan  reptiles  with  the  locali- 
ties (principally  counties)  in  which  the  species  have  been  observed. 
Unfortunately  it  is  based  principally  upon  records  the  sources  of 
which  are  not  given  so  that,  while  it  is  quite  accurate  as  a  list  of 
Michigan  species,  the  careful  student  cannot  accept  the  localities 
as  reliable. 

21.  Notestein,  F.  N.  The  Ophidia  of  Michigan.  7th  Ann.  Rept. 
Mich.  Acad.  Sci.,  1905,  pp.  112-125.  The  writer  of  this  paper  has 
endeavored  to  give  a  synopsis  of  the  reptiles  of  the  state  with  keys 
to  make  possible  the  easy  determination  of  specimens.  In  reality 
what  he  has  done  is  to  describe  the  species  that  may  occur  in  the 
state  without  giving  any  state  records,  so  that,  while  the  paper  will 
assist  in  determining  Michigan  specimens,  it  cannot  be  considered 

« 

as  a  monograph  on  Michigan  herpetology.  The  paper  is,  further- 
more, marred  by  very  numerous  typographical  errors  which,  altho 
it  must  be  said  not  the  fault  of  the  writer,  greath^  impair  its  use- 
fulness to  the  general  student. 

22.  Whittiker,  C.  C.  The  Status  of  Eutaenia  Irachy stoma.  7th 
Ann.  Rept.  Mich.  Acad.  Sci.,  1905,  pp.  88-92.  The  writer  compares 
the  published  description  of  the  tj^pe  specimen  of  Thamrtophis 
hracJiystoma  with  material  of  T.  hiitleri  and  concludes  that  hrachy- 
stomn  is  a  svnonvm  of  the  latter. 

9 


66  HERPETOLOGY    OF    MICHIGAN. 

23.  Whittiker,  C.  C.  Variation  in  the  Bine  Racer.  7tli  Ann. 
Kept,  Mich.  Acad.  Sci.,  1905,  pp.  100-102.  A  brief  acconnt  of  the 
natnral  history  and  a  discussion  of  the  variation  in  scutellation 
and  proportionate  size  of  extremities  observed  in  58  specimens  of 
Bascanion  constrictor  from  Eaton  County. 

24.  Gibbs,  Morris.  Bibliography  for  the  Amphibia,  and  Reptilia 
of  Michigan.  7th  Ann.  Kept.  Mich.  Acad.  Sci.,  1905,  p.  111.  A  list 
of  the  papers  ''which  directly  refer  to  Michigan  herpetology  so  far 
as  known  to  the  'writer." 

25.  Ruthven,  Alexander  G.  The  Co'ld-Blooded  Vertebrates  of 
the  Porcupine  Mountains  and  Isle  Royale,  Michigan.  Rept.  Geol. 
Survey  Mich,  for  1905  (1906),  pp.  107-112.  Lists  the  species  (5 
snakes  and  1  turtle)  known  to  occur  in  the  northern  peninsula  of 
Michigan  with  notes  on  the  habits  and  habitats.  The  list  is  based 
principally  on  specimens  secured  by  the  expeditions  of  the  Uni- 
versity of  Michigan  Museum  and  upon  the  field  notes  of  the  writer. 

26.  Hankinson,  T.  L.  A  Biological  Survey  of  Walnut  Lake, 
Michigan.  Rept.  Mich.  Geol.  Surv.,  1907  (1908),  pp.  153-288.  Con- 
tains a  list  of  eight  species  of  reptiles  from  the  vicinity  of  Walnut 
Lake,  Oakland  Countv. 

27.  Ruthven,  Alexander  G.  The  Cold-Blooded  Vertebrates  of 
Isle  Royale.  Rept.  Geol.  Surv.  Mich,  for  1908  (1909),  pp.  329-333. 
A  summary  of  the  herpetology  of  Isle  Royale  based  principally  upon 
the  data  secured  by  the  University  of  Michigan  Museum  expeditions. 

28.  Ruthven,  Alexander  G.  Variations  and  Genetic  Relation- 
ships of  the  Garter-Snakes.  Bull.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  61,  1908.  Con- 
tains Michigan  records  of  Thamnophis  Jnitleri,  T.  sirtalis,  and 
T.  sauritus  and  notes  on  the  habits  of  these  species. 

29.  Ruthven,  Alexander  G.  Notes  on  Michigan  Reptiles  and 
Amphibians.  11th  Ann.  Rept.  Mich.  Acad.  Sci.,  1909,  pp.  116-117. 
The  ^Titer  shows  that  the  Michigan  specimens  of  wood-frog  are 
referable  to  the  species  cantahrigensls,  extends  the  northward 
range  of  Thamnophis  'butler i  to  Huron  County,  summarizes  the  dis- 
tribution of  Heterodon  platyrhinns  and  Elaphe  vnlpiniis  in  the 
state,  giving  new  records,  and  shows  that  Porcupine  Mountain  speci- 
mens of  Chrysemys  are  C.  hellii. 

30.  Ruthven,  Alexander  G.  Notes  on  Michigan  Reptiles  and 
Amphibians,  II.  12th  Ann.  Rept.  Mich.  Acad.  Sci.,  1910,  p.  59. 
Records  Rana  septentrioiialis ,  Elaphe  rulpimis  and  Chrysemys 
hellii  from  Dickinson  County. 

31.  Ruthven,  Alexander  G.  Notes  on  Michigan  Reptiles  and 
Amphibians,  III.  13th  Ann.  Rept.  Mich.  Acad,  of  Sci.,  1911,  pp. 
114-115.     Contains   a  summary   of  the   distribution   of   Diadophis 


REPTILES.  67 

punctata  and  a  list  of  the  species  known  from  Cheboygan  County. 

32.  Ruthven,  Alexander  G.  Amphibians  and  Reptiles  in  A  Bio- 
logical Survey  of  the  Sand  Dune  Region  on  the  South  Shore  of 
Saginaw  Bay,  Michigan.  Mich.  Geol.  and  Biol.  Surv.,  Pub.  4,  Biol. 
Ser.  2,  1911,  pp.  257-272.  A  discussion  of  the  reptile-amphibian 
fauna  of  the  northern  part  of  Huron  County;  fifteen  species  of 
reptiles  recorded. 

33.  Thompson,  Crystal.  Notes  on  the  Amphibians  and  Reptiles 
of  Cass  County,  Michigan.  13th  Ann.  Rept.  Mich.  Acad.  Sci.,  1911, 
pp.  105-107.    Records  thirteen  species  of  reptiles  from  Cass  County. 

METHODS  OF  STUDY. 

The  reptiles  are  a  group  which,  in  the  opinion  of  the  writer, 
has  been  much  neglected  by  students  of  natural  history.  The  result 
of  this  is  shown  by  the  small  amount  of  material  on  habits  and 
local  distribution  that  has  accumulated.  Much  of  this  neglect  of  a 
very  interesting  group  is  due  to  the  wide  spread  aversion  to  reptiles, 
particularly  to  lizards  and  snakes.  The  truth  is  that  most  of  this 
aversion  is  acquired  and  can  be  more  or  less  easily  overcome.  It  is 
due  in  no  small  part  to  the  absurd  stories  that  still  pass  current 
in  the  periodicals.  We  venture  to  say  that  if  the  statement  were 
published  in  the  daily  papers  that  there  is  in  Michigan  but  one 
poisonous  snake  (rattle  snake),  that  the  largest  snakes  we  have  are 
the  blue  racer,  fox  snake  and  pilot  snake,  which  seldom  attain  a 
length  of  over  six  feet,  that  the  breath  of  the  '"blowing  adder"  is 
not  poisonous,  that  snakes  do  not  sting  with  their  tongues  nor 
swallow  their  young,  it  would  call  forth  numerous  protests  and 
snake  stories  by  "eye-witnesses"  exactly  to  the  contrary. 

It  seems  absurd  to  one  acquainted  with  these  interesting  animals 
to  have  to  deny  such  stories.  Our  reptiles  are  only  dangerous  as 
they  are  poisonous,  and  the  poison  is  only  conveyed  by  large  fangs 
and  only  possessed  by  one  species — the  rattle  snake.  On  the  other 
hand  there  are  few  groups  that  will  better  repay  a  study  of  the 
habits,  both  for  the  reason  that  a  knowledge  of  the  natural  history 
of  the  forms  is  of  value  in  the  study  of  their  distribution  and  re- 
lationships and  because  so  little  is  known  on  the  subject.  The  work 
on  the  natural  history  and  distribution  of  the  forms  must  be  pre- 
ceeded  by  a  determination  of  the  .species,  but  fortunately  the  latter 
is  not  difficult  for  our  forms  are  few  and  in  general  well  defined. 
The  classification  is  based  on  structural  characters,  of  course,  but 
the  external  characters  are  sufficient  for  the  identification  of  Michi- 


68 


HERPETOLOGY    OF    MICHIGAN. 


Po      Pro 


Fig.  21.     Head  of  snake,  side  view,  to  show  arrangement  of  scales. 

P,  prenasal;  Po,  postnasal;  L,  loreal;  Pro,  preocular;  Poo,  postoculars;  T,  first  temporal; 
T.2,  second  temporals;  S,  superior  labials;  I,  Inferior  labials. 


Fig.  22.     Head  of  snake,  side  view,  to  show  arrangemant  of  scales. 
P,  rostral;  O,  iuternasals;  F,  prefrontals;  PR,  frontal;  I,  supraocular;  R,  parietals. 


a 


Fig.  23.     Scales  on  the  body  of  a  snake.   (After  Cope.) 
V,  ventrals;  a,  anal  plate;  s,  subcaudals,  d,  dorsals. 


JLCJ-UX      J.    X  J_i  I-Li  kJ  .  U^ 


gan  forms  and  have  alone  been  used  in  this  report.    The  anatomy 
is  dealt  with  in  most  of  the  standard  text-books  on  zoology. 

In  the  identification  of  species  the  following  characters  (compare 
figures)  should  be  noted : 

Snakes. 

1.  Form  of  body  and  general  size. 

2.  Arrangement  of  scales  on  the  top,  sides  and  under  surface  of 
head  (Figs.  21,  22). 

3.  Arrangement  of  scales  on  dorsal  surface  of  body  and  the  num- 
ber of  rows  at  various  places,  i.  e.,  between  the  head  and  anus 
(Fig.  23). 

4.  Whether  the  dorsal  scales  are  smooth  or  keeled. 

5.  Number  of  large  plates  on  the  ventral  surface  between  the 
head  and  tail  (Fig.  23). 

6.  Character  of  anal  plate,  i.  e.,  whether  single  or  divided  (Fig. 
23). 

7.  Character  of  scales  on  the  ventral  surface  of  the  tail,  i.  e., 
whether  in  a  single  or  double  series. 

8.  Coloration. 

Turtles. 

1.  General  size. 

2.  Shape  of  upper  (carapace)   and  lower  (plastron)  shell. 

3.  Surface  of  shell,  i.  e.,  whether  covered  with  horny  plates  or 
by  a  soft  skin. 

4.  Size  of  plastron  as  compared  with  opening  of  carapace,  also 
form  of  the  bridge  between  the  plastron  and  carapace  (Figs.  25-27), 
and  whether  or  not  the  plastron  is  divided  by  a  transverse  hinge. 

5.  Number  and  arrangement  of  plates  in  the  different  series  on 
carapace  and  plastron  (Figs.  24,  25). 

6.  Character  of  anterior  end  of  upper  jaw,  i.  e.,  whether  notched 
or  projected  into  beak. 

7.  Character  of  biting  and  grinding  surfaces  of  jaws,  particu- 
larly as  regards  width  of  grinding  surfaces. 

8.  Extent  of  web  on  digits. 

9.  Coloration. 


70 


HERPETOLOGY   OF    MICHIGAN. 


n 


Fig.  24.     Carapace  of  Emydoidea  blandingii,  to  show  position  of  plates. 
V,  vertebrals;  C,  ccstals;  N,  nuchal;  M,  marginals. 


sxniir  X  ii^rifO. 


/i 


Fig.  25.     Plastron  of  Eniydoidea  hlandingii,  to  show  position  of  plates. 
e,  gulars;  li.  huinerals-;  p.  pectorals;  a  abdominals;  f,  femorals;  an,  anals. 


72 


HERPETOLOGY    OF    MICHIGAN. 


Fig.  26.     Plastron  of  Chelydra  serpentina. 


REPTILES. 


73 


Fig.  27.     Plastron  of  Kinosternon  odoratum. 


74  HERPETOLOGY    OF    MICHIGAN. 

The  above  outlines  may  very  easily  be  elaborated  by  teachers  into 
laboratory  directions.  We  would  suggest,  first,  the  identification 
of  specimens  accompanied  by  notes  on  individual  and  sexual  varia- 
tion ;  second,  observations  on  the  habits  of  captive  specimens ;  third, 
field  study  of  habits  and  habitats ;  fourth,  the  preparation  of  tables 
to  show  in  a  comparative  way  the  characters  and  habits  of  the 
different  species  studied;  and,  fifth,  a  summary  of  the  ways  in 
which  the  characters  are  evidently  adaptive. 

METHODS    OF    COLLECTING    AND    PRESEKYIXG     SPECI- 
MENS. 

Collecting:  As  the  rattlesnake  is  the  only  poisonous  serpent  in 
Michigan,  the  collecting  of  reptiles  may  be  done  with  safety  by  any 
one  well  enough  acquainted  with  this  species  to  distinguish  it.  With 
the  exception  of  the  rattlesnake,  all  of  the  Michigan  snakes  may  be 
grasped  in  the  hands,  with  no  more  dangerous  results  than  would 
occur  in  the  case  of  a  bird  the  size  of  a  robin.  It  is  always  most 
convenient  to  grasp  the  animal  by  the  neck,  however,  as  it  is  then 
more  easily  handled  and  examined.  Cloth  bags  about  the  size  of 
those  used  to  hold  corn  meal  or  a  little  smaller  should  be  carried 
in  the  field.  The  snakes,  turtles  and  lizards  ma^^  be  dropped  into 
these  and  carried  back  alive  to  the  laboratory  or  work  room. 

Lizards  ma}'  frequently  be  grasped  in  the  hand  and  always  with 
impunit}',  but  if  seized  by  the  tail  there  is  great  probability  that 
this  alone  will  be  secured,  as  the  animals  part  with  this  member 
readily.  The  most  efficient  way  to  capture  them  alive  is  to  cauti- 
ousl}'  slip  over  their  heads  a  noose  made  of  horse  hair,  thread  or 
fine  wire  and  placed  on  the  end  of  a  stick.  Turtles  may  be  readily 
picked  up  by  the  carapace  (upper  shell),  it  only  being  necessary 
to  avoid  the  jaws  of  the  larger  ones. 

Collectors  who  wish  to  obtain  series  of  specimens  in  a  short  time 
will  find  it  more  advantageous  to  shoot  the  larger  snakes,  lizards, 
rattlesnakes,  and  those  forms  that  frequent  the  margins  of  lakes, 
ponds  and  streams.  In  our  collecting  we  find  it  ver}^  convenient 
to  carry  a  small,  double-barreled  shot-gun  (44  gauge,  which  takes  a 
40-85  brass  rifle  shell,  or  a  28  gauge)  or  a  22  caliber  target  pistol 
bored  smooth  and  shooting  the  .22  shot  shell.  We  load  the 
shotgun  shells  with  a  small  charge  of  black  powder,  and  dust  shot 
(No.  14).  Charges  of  these  sizes  do  not  usually  greatly  injure  the 
specimen. 

Cages.    Very  efficient  and  cheap  cages  for  snakes  and  lizards  may 


be  made  by  placing  a  slidiii«^  pane  of  glass  in  the  top  of  a  shallow, 
light  wooden  box.  The  pane  of  glass  serves  as  a  window  through 
w^hich  the  animals  may  be  observed,  and  also  as  a  door  through 
which  they  may  be  taken  in  or  out  or  food  introduced.  It  is  always 
best  to  have  the  glass  on  top  so  that  it  can  be  opened  temporarily 
without  danger  of  the  inmates  escaping,  and  holes  should  be  bored 
thru  the  side  of  the  box  and  covered  with  screen,  so  as  to  provide 
air.  Water  in  a  small  dish  fastened  to  the  bottom  of  the  cage 
should  always  be  present. 

Turtles  (except  the  box  turtle)  should  be  placed  in  a  metal  tank 
in  shallow  water  with  stones  upon  which  they  may  climb.  No  cov- 
ering is  necessary  if  the  sides  are  reasonably  high  or  the  edges 
turned  inward.    The  box  turtle  should  have  a  dry  cage. 

Specimens  should  be  fed  shortly  after  being  placed  in  the  cage, 
and  rather  regularly  thereafter,  for  if  they  can  be  induced  to  eat 
there  will  be  no  trouble  in  keeping  them  alive.  Water  should  be 
kept  in  the  cages  at  all  times. 

Preservation  of  Specimens:  The  animals  captured  alive  should 
be  killed  by  immersing,  while  still  in  the  bags,  in  a  pail  of  water. 
When  dead  they  should  be  removed  from  the  bags  and  either  in- 
jected freely  (snakes  and  lizards  along  the  belly,  turtles  behind  the 
fore  legs  and  in  front  of  the  hind  legs)  with  4%  formalin,  by  means 
of  a  hypodermic  syringe,  or  if  a  syringe  is  not  available,  slit  open. 
Several  slits  about  an  inch  or  two  inches  long  (according  to  the 
size  of  the  specimen)  should  be  made  along  the  ventral  surface  of 
the  snakes  (none  on  the  tail).  One  short  slit  will  serve  for  the 
lizards,  and  the  turtles  may  be  slit  open  in  front  of  the  hind  legs 
and  behind  the  fore  legs.  The  formalin  solution  may  l>e  made  by 
adding  24  parts  of  water  to  1  part  of  the  40%  solution  of  formalin 
sold  as  pure,  and  the  results  are  much,  better  if  the  better  grades  of 
formalin  (i.  e.,  Shering's)  are  used.  The  specimens  should  then 
be  placed  in  pans  (do  not  crowd)  and  covered  with  the  same  solu- 
tion. When  well  hardened  thev  mav  be  transferred  to  "lass  iars  or 
covered  crocks  and  covered  with  75%  alcohol.  In  the  case  of  large 
specimens  of  turtles  the  shell  only  need  be  saved. 

A  label  should  be  attached  to  each  specimen,  giving  the  locality, 
date  of  collection,  collector  and  habitat,  but  if  a  notebook  or  cata- 
log is  kept,  the  specimen  may  be  given  a  serial  number  and  the  data 
kept  in  the  notebook  or  catalog  opposite  the  corresponding  number. 
The  label  should  be  tied  about  the  body  in  the  case  of  lizards  and 
snakes  (about  one-third  of  the  way  back  from  the  head  in  snakes 
and  just  behind  the  forelegs  in  lizards)  and  on  the  left  hind  leg  in 


76  HERPETOLOGY    OF    MICHIGAN. 

turtles.    Only  in  the  case  of  the  latter  should  the  string  be  tied  so 
tightly  as  to  crease  the  skin. 

DESCRIPTIONS  OF  MICHIGAN  REPTILES. 

CLASS  REPTILIA. 

The  living  reptiles  are  cold-blooded  vertebrates  that  breathe  by 
means  of  lungs  and  usually  have  a  covering  of  horny  epidermal 
scales;  the  latter  sometimes  supported  by  bony  dermal  plates.  The 
only  Michigan  species  that  does  not  have  the  body  covered  with 
scales  is  the  soft-shelled  turtle  {Platypeltis  spinifera).  In  external 
form  the  body  is  elongate  and  limbless  (snakes),  somewhat  elongate 
and  usually  quadrupedal  but  occasionally  apodal  (lizards  and  croco- 
dilians),  cuirassed  and  quadrupedal  (turtles).  The  quadrupedal 
lizards  are  frequently  confused  w^ith  salamanders,  but  the  quadiTi- 
pedal  salamanders  (which  alone  occur  in  Michigan)  always  lack 
the  bony  or  horny  covering  characteristic  of  reptiles,  the  skin  being 
thin  and  moist.  The  apodal  lizards  are  frequently  confused  with 
snakes,  but  the  only  apodal  lizard  in  northeastern  North  America, 
the  so-called  glass  snake  {Opliiosaurus  ventralis),  may  always  be 
distinguished  from  snakes  by  the  presence  of  eyelids  and  external 
ears.  This  lizard  has  never  been  recorded  from  Michigan,  although 
it  is  said  to  occur  in  Wisconsin.  Numerous  morphological  char- 
acters other  than  those  given  characterize  the  Class  Reptilia  and 
may  be  found  by  referring  to  any  vertebrate  zoology. 

Dlstrihution  of  the  Class  Reptilia  in  Michigan. — The  distribution 
of  each  species  is  discussed  in  detail  with  its  description.  In  gen- 
eral the  reptile  fauna  of  the  state  is  characterized  by  the  small 
number  of  forms.  This  is  due  in  large  part  to  the  northern  latitude 
of  the  region,  as  the  reptiles  are  primarily  a  tropical  group.  The 
influence  of  temperature  upon  the  distribution  is  also  shown  within 
the  state.  It  is  true  in  both  orders  that  as  one  goes  northward 
from  the  southern  boundary  of  the  state  the  number  of  species 
gradually  decreases.  Thus  it  may  be  seen  by  an  examination  of 
the  maps  that  twenty-five  or  all  but  one  of  the  species  in  our  fauna 
have  been  recorded  from  the  two  southernmost  tiers  of  counties 
while  only  six  have  thus  far  been  found  in  the  northern  peninsula, 
and  only  one  occurs  there  and  not  in  the  southern  peninsula.  It 
must  be  admitted,  of  course,  that  our  information  on  the  intrastate 
distribution  of  the  species  is  far  from  complete,  but  enough  has 
been  learned  to  make  it  quite  evident  that  further  work  will  not 
overthrow  this  conclusion. 


REPTILES.  77 

Another  general  fact  of  distribution  may  be  pointed  out,  namely, 
that  there  is  a  western  element  in  the  fauna  of  the  northern  penin- 
sula. This  is  at  present  only  shown  by  the  occurrence  of  Chrijsemys 
helUi  in  that  region,  but  it  is  in  harmony  with  what  has  been 
shown  to  occur  in  other  groups. 

KEYS  TO  THE  ORDERS  AND  SUBORDERS    OF    MICHIGAN  REPTILES.* 

a^     Body  elongate  and  covered  with  small  scales.     Anus  a  cross- 
slit.     Order  Squamata    (Lizards  and   Snakes). 

b^.     Limbs  present.     Eyelids  movable.     An  external   ear 

opening.     Suborder   Sauria    (Lizards),   p.   77. 
b^.     Limbs  absent.     No  external  ear  opening  or  movable 
eyelids.     Suborder  Serpen tes   (Snakes),  p.  81. 
a^.     Body  short  and  broad  and  enclosed  between  two   (upper  and 
lower)    shields.     Limbs  present.     Anus  rounded  or  a  longi- 
tudinal slit.     Order  Testudinata   (Turtles),  p.  128. 

ORDER    SQUAMATA — SUBORDER    SAURIA    (lIZARDS). 

Description:  As  indicated  by  the  key,  the  lizards  of  Michigan 
may  always  be  known  from  the  other  reptiles  by  the  combination  of 
characters,  presence  of  small  scales  over  the  body  and  of  four  limbs. 
As  already  said,  they  are  frequently  confused  with  the  salamanders 
but  may  always  be  told  from  them  by  the  fact  that  the  skin  is  never 
smooth  and  moist. 

Key  to  the  Genera  and  Species  of  Michigan  Lizards. 

a^.     Body  covered  above  with  fine  tubercular  scales.    Tongue  deeply 

bifid.     Cnemidophorus  sexUneatus  (L.)t 
a^.     Body    covered    above    with*   rather    large,    imbricated    scales. 

Tongue  slightly  notched.    Eumeces  quinquilineatus  (L.). 

EUMECES  QUINQUILINEATUS  (Linnaeus). 

BLUE-TAILED    SKINK. 
(PI.    VIII.) 

Plestiodon  vittigerum,%  Hallo  well,  1856,  310. 
Eumeces  fasciatus,  Smith,  1879,  6.    Clark,  1905,  110. 
Eumeces  quinquilineatus,   Cope,   1900,   637-638.      Ruthven,    1911a, 
263-264. 


*It  is  hardly  necessary  to  say  that  the  keys  in  this  paper  are  highly  artificial.  They  are 
designed  only  to  to  furnish  an  easy  and  efficient  means  of  identifying  the  species. 

tThe  genus  Cnemidophorus  has  not  heen  recorded  from  this  state,  so  it  will  not  be  considered 
further  in  this  work.  C.  t^exlineatus  occurs  in  northern  Indiana,  however,  and  is  to  be  looked 
for  in  southwestern  Michigan  in  the  sand  dunes  along  Lake  Michigan. 

JThe  synonomy  given  under  each  species  includes  only  papers  that  refer  to  Michigan  speci- 
mens. 


78  HERPETOLOGY   OF    MICHIGAN. 

Description:  Four  well  developed  limbs.  Body  covered  with 
rather  large,  imbricated,  smooth  scales.  Tongue  flat,  moderately 
long,  free,  slightly  notched  in  front,  and  covered  with  overlapping 
scale-like  papillae.    Head  with  symmetrically  arranged  plates. 

The  color  of  the  blue-tailed  skink  varies  greatly  with  age.  The 
color  of  medium  sized  individuals  is,  above  dark  olive  with  five 
bluish  or  greenish  white,  or  yellowish  stripes  (one  median  and 
two  lateral  on  either  side)  ;  under  surface  pale ;  tail  usually  bright 
blue.  Old  specimens  are  reddish  olive  with  the  stripes  obscure 
(females)  or  wanting  (males)  and  the  head  coppery  red.  Young 
specimens  are  jet-black  with  bright  yellow  stripes. 

Eahits  and  HaMtat:  This  skink  is  distinctly  diurnal,  being  most 
active  on  warm,  bright  days  in  summer.  Little  is  known  of  its 
habitat  preferences  in  Michigan,  but  in  other  regions  it  is  usually 
found  in  wooded  areas,  being  seen  frequently  in  piles  of  brush  or 
fallen  logs.  It  is  very  agile,  and,  like  most  of  the  smaller  lizards, 
its  tail  breaks  easily  so  that  if  seized  by  this  appendage  the  animal 
easily  escapes  by  parting  with  the  captured  portion.  The  following 
account  of  the  habits  of  specimens  observed  in  the  sand  region  of 
Huron  County  has  been  given  by  the  wi-iter  (Ruthven,  1911a,  263- 
264). 

"In  the  Avoods  of  the  sand  region  it  was  found  on  the  dry  ridges, 
under  and  in  decaying  logs,  where  it  fed  on  the  insects  that  frequent 
such  situations.  It  was,  however,  much  more  common  than  elsewhere 
under  the  drift  logs  on  the  fossil  beaches,  and  also  on  the  middle 
beach  on  the  present  shore,  at  the  extremity  of  Sand  Point.  The 
logs  strewTi  along  the  fossil  beaches  were  in  an  advanced  stage  of 
decay,  and  usually  consisted  of  an  outer  shell  of  better  preserved 
wood  covering  a  mass  of  decomposed  debris,  the  decomposition 
taking  place  most  rapidly  next  to  the  ground.  This  apparently 
furnished  a  very  favorable  habitat  for  these  lizards,  great  numbers 
of  which  were  found  in  the  decomposed  material  when  the  outer 
shell  of  the  log  had  been  removed.     (PI.  VIII.) 

"The  eggs  were  laid  in  the  same  material,  the  female  generally 
scooping  out  a  small  hollow  in  the  bottom  of  which  the  eggs  were 
partially  buried  in  the  debris.  Both  in  the  woods  and  on  the 
beaches  nests  were  occasionally  found  in  the  sand  beneath  a  log  or 
board  where  there  was  only  a  small  amount  of  decaying  wood,  but 
in  every  case  there  was  at  least  a  small  amount.  Females  taken  on 
June  19  were  pregnant,  containing  large  eggs  apparently  nearly 
ready  to  be  laid.  The  first  sets  observed  were  on  July  2,  and  on 
and  after  this  date  nests  of  eggs  were  found  in  numbers.     Every- 


REPTILES.  79 

thing  went  to  show  that  the  eggs  are  mostly  laid  about  the  first 
of  July.  None  were  observed  before  this  date,  and  those  collected 
on  July  2  were  all  clean — they  usually  become  much  stained  from 
the  decaying  wood  after  being  in  the  nest  for  some  time.  The 
number  of  eggs  in  the  set  was  counted  in  eight  instances  and  were 
as  follows:  6,  6,  8,  8,  9,  11,  13,  14.  An  examination  of  the  preg- 
nant females  shows  that  the  number  in  each  set  varies  with  the 
size  (age?)  of  the  female,  the  smaller  ones  having  6  to  8  eggs,  the 
larger  ones  9  to  14.  It  is  interesting  to  compare  this  with  the  state- 
ment of  Ditmars  (1907,  202)  that  he  found  the  normal  numbers  to 
be  8  or  4,  and  that  of  Strecker  (1908,  169)  ^the  several  sets  that  I 
have  examined  were  all  of  8  eggs  each.' 

"It  was  interesting  to  observe  the  behavior  of  the  female  when 
with  her  eggs.  As  is  well  known  she  remains  with  them  until  they 
are  hatched,  but  for  what  purpose  is  not  evident.  We  usually  found 
them  coiled  about  the  eggs,  but  sometimes  they  simply  lay  beside 
them.  In  any  case  there  seemed  to  be  no  attempt  to  come  in  im- 
mediate contact  with  the  eggs,  and  indeed  this  would  have  been  im- 
possible in  most  instances,  as  the  eggs  themselves  were  not  even  in 
contact  with  each  other,  being  somewhat  scattered  about  in  the  de- 
caying debris.  However,  there  seemed  to  be  a  disposition  on  the 
part  of  the  female  to  keep  her  set  together;  several  times  I  saw  a 
female  leave  her  position  and  crawl  about  the  eggs,  and  when  she 
encountered  one  which  I  had  displaced,  lick  it  and  then  nose  it 
back  with  the  others.  If  care  was  taken  in  removing  the  outer  shell 
of  the  log  to  expose  the  nest,  the  female  would  remain  with  the 
eggs,  only  burying  herself  deeper  in  the  loose  debris  when  her  head 
was  exposed  to  the  light. 

"The  first  voung  of  the  vear  were  observed  on  Julv  31,  when  a 
female  was  found  under  a  small  log  on  a  sand  beach,  coiled  about 
a  nest  of  8  eggs  from  which  the  young  were  emerging." 

Ditmars  (1907,  202)  states  that  the  "food  consists  largely  of  in- 
sects, but  well-grown  specimens  will  feed  upon  the  eggs  of  birds,  or 
newly  born  wood  mice,  often  discovered  by  the  lizard  as  it  investi- 
gates the  crevices  of  fallen  trees."  Surface  (1908a,  251)  records 
the  larva  of  a  Geometrid  moth  in  the  stomach  of  one  specimen. 
Cope  (1900,  038)  states  that  a  captive  specimen  gorged  itself  with 
wood  lice  (Omscus). 

Range:  The  blue-tailed  skink  was  probably  not  uncommon  in 
the  southern  part  of  lower  Michigan  before  the  timber  was  removed. 
Whether  or  not  it  was  of  general  distribution  will  probably  never 
be  known ;  it  is  now  apparently  very  rare  over  much  of  this  region. 


80 


HERPETOLOGY    OF    MICHIGAN. 


It  has  been  reported  from  Genesee  County  (Hallowell,  1856,  310; 
Cope,  1900,  637),  Ann  Arbor  (Smith,  1879,  6),  Barry,  Kalamazoo, 
Kent,  Montcalm,  Ottawa,  St.  Joseph  and  Van  Buren  Counties 
(Clark,  1905,  110).     It  Avas  observed  to  be  quite  common  in  the 


\%«.   DOMINION     OF    CANADA 


ILLINOIS 


C  M  t  C  A  C  O 


%  lAKZ 

..■CtfiLLBO ~j i 


Fig.  28.     Distribution  of  Eumeces  quinqxdlineatus. 
Horizontal  ruling,  specimens  examined;  vertical  ruling,  reports  only. 

sand  region  along  the  south  shore  of  Saginaw  Bay,  between  Bayport 
and  Port  Crescent  in  1908  (Ruthven,  1911a,  263-264),  and  specimens 
have  recently  been  received  from  St.  Clair  and  Oakland  Counties. 
Three  specimens  (one  accompanied  by  eggs),  collected  by  W.  J^ 
Beal  in  Lenawee  County  (no  date),  are  in  the  University  of  Michi- 
gan collection,  and  we  have  examined  a  specimen  taken  at  Alma, 


REPTILES.  81 

Gratiot  County.  These  are  the  only  specimens  from  Michigan  that 
the  writer  has  seen.  There  is  a  record  in  the  University  of  Michigan 
Museum  catalog  of  a  specimen  (No.  3G9)  collected  by  E.  W.  Mc- 
Graw  at  Ann  Arbor,  but  the  specimen  cannot  now  be  found. 

ORDER    SQUAMATA SUBORDER    SERPENTES     (tHE    SNAKES)  . 

Description:  As  previously  stated  the  Michigan  snakes  may  be 
distinguished  from  the  other  members  of  the  class  in  the  state  by 
the  absence  of  limbs,  external  ear  openings,  and  movable  eyelids. 
The  body  is  elongate  and  covered  with  scales.  The  scalation  is  as 
follows:  small  imbricated  smooth  or  keeled  scales  forming  longi- 
tudinal and  diagonally  transverse  rows  on  the  dorsal  surface  of  the 
body  and  tail.  A  single  series  of  large  transverse  and  imbricated 
scutes  on  the  ventral  surface  of  the  body  with  a  somewhat  larger 
single  or  divided  plate  (anal)  just  in  front  of  the  anus,  xl  single 
or  double  row  of  imbricated  scutes  on  the  ventral  surface  of  the 
tail.     Large  symmetrically  arranged  plates  on  the  head. 

Key  to  the  Snakes  of  Michigan. 

a\     No  pit  between  the  eye  and  nostril.    Tail  not  terminating  in  a 
rattle, 
b^.     Anal  plate  divided. 

c^.     Dorsal  scales  keeled  (occasioualh^  but  faintly), 
d^.     Loreal  plate  absent,  Storeria. 

e^.     Oculars  1-2 S.  dehayi,  p.  83. 

e^     Oculars  2-2 S.   occipitomaculata,  p.  85. 

d".     Loreal  plate  present. 

e^.     Eostral  plate  greatly  developed  and  protrud- 
ing  Heterodon  pUityrhinus,  p.  87. 

e-.     Rostral  plate  normal,  i.  e.,  flattened  over  the 
end  of  the  muzzle, 
f^     First  3-5  rows  of  dorsal  scales  smooth, 
the  rest  weakly  keeled, ^Zap/ie. 
g:^.     Color  above  black  or  with  obscure 

blotches E.  ol)soletus,  p.  90. 

Color  above  yellowish  to  light  brown 
with       prominent       dark       brown 

blotches E.  pulpimis,  p.  93. 

f^.     Scales  of  all  of  the  dorsal  rows   (except 
often  the  first)  strongly  keeled. 
11 


>5 


g'- 


82  HERPETOLOGY    OF    MICHIGAN. 

g^     Dorsal  scale  rows  never  less  than  21- 

23-21-19-11. JS^atrix    sipedoii,   p.    95. 

g-.     Dorsal  scale  rows  never  more  than 

19-17. 

li^     A  light  lateral  stripe  on  the  1st 

and     2nd     roAvs,     no     dorsal 

hlotches. Reg hia   leheris,  p.  98. 

h^.     No  light  lateral  stripes,  dorsal 

blotches  present 

Clonophls  kirtlancU,  p.  100. 
C-.     Dorsal  scales  not  keeled. 

d^.     A    single    nasal    plate    pierced    by    the    nostril. 

Liopeltis  vernalis,  p.  102. 

d".     Two  nasal  plates,  the  nostril  between  them. 

e^.     A  vellow  collar.     Uniformlv  blackish  above, 

Diadophis  punctatiis,  p.  104. 

e-.     Xo  vellow  collar,  adults  uniformly  sreen  to 

blackish  above,  young  spotted. 

Bascanion  constrictor,  p.  107. 

b".     Anal  plate  entire. 

c^.     Dorsal  scales  smooth.     Dorsal  blotches  present.     No 

fiiv\i)QH.  .  .  .Lampropeltls  doJlatus  triangutus,  p.  110. 

C-.     Dorsal  scales  keeled,  a  dorsal  and  two  lateral  (one  on 

either  side),  light  stripes ThamnopMs. 

d^.     Tail  generally  more  than  .27  of  the  total  length, 

Thamnophis  saiiritus,  p.  113. 

d".     Tail  Generally  less  than  .27  of  the  total  lencjth. 
e^.     Lateral    stripe    on    the    2nd    and    3rd    rows. 

Labials  generally  7/10 

ThaiiuiopJiis  sirtaUs,  p.  119. 

e-.     Lateral  stripe  on  the  2nd,  3rd,  4th  rows  an- 
teriorly."   Labials  generally  6/8 

Thanniophis  hutleri,  p.  116. 

a-.     A  pit  between  the  eyes  and  nostril.  Tail  (in  all  but  very  young 

individuals)   terminating  in  a  rattle 

^^istrurus  catenatus,  p.  124. 


REPTILES.  83 


STOKEKIA  DEKAYI  (Holbrook). 

DEKAY  SNAKE. 

Tfopidonotiis  clekayi,  Holbrook,  1842,  IV,  54. 

Storeria  delcayi,  Smith,  1879,  7.  Notestein,  1905,  114.  Clark,  1902, 
194;  1905,  109.  Baird  and  Girard,  1853,  135-136.  Miles, 
1861,  233.     Cope,  1900,  1002-1003.     Ruthven,  1911a,  266-267. 

Description:  A  small  snake  seldom  attaining  a  length  of  more 
than  a  foot.  Bod}^  tapering  to'ward  the  neck  and  tail.  Head  small 
but  distinct.  Cephalic  plates  normal;  rostral  normal.  Sides  of 
head  rather  high.  Loreal  absent,  being  fused  with  the  posterior 
nasal;  nostril  situated  laterall}^ 

Dorsal  scale  rows,  except  very  rarel} ,  17  throughout  the  entire 
length  of  the  body.  Supralabials  7 ;  infralabials  7,  very  rarely  8  or 
9.  Oculars  generally  1-2;  rarely  the  postoculars  are  3  in  number, 
and  occasionally  fused  into  one  scale,  preoculars  very  rarely  2. 
Ventrals  120-137,  subcaudals  44-57,  anal  plate  divided. 

The  ground  color  above  varying  from  dark  chestnut  or  dark  slate 
to  pale  brownish  yellow,  the  lighter  shades  most  common.  On  the 
vertebral  line  (occupying  the  median  three  and  the  halves  of  the 
adjacent  rows)  a  pale  yellow  or  greenish  band,  which  is  generally 
more  distinct  in  the  specimens  in  which  the  ground  color  is  light. 
This  band  margined  on  either  side  by  a  darker  shade  of  the  ground 
color  (in  individuals  light  enough  to  show  it),  and  by  a  row  of 
more  or  less  prominent  black  spots  that  may  be  distinct  and  en- 
croach on  the  pale  band  even  to  the  extent  of  fusing  across  it  or 
may  be  so  small  as  to  be  only  indicated  or  entirely  absent.  The 
dorsal  row  is  one  of  three  of  alternating  spots  that  may  be  present 
on  either  side,  all  of  these  usuallv  bein":  absent  or  onlv  indicated 
on  the  scales,  except  more  often  on  the  anterior  part  of  the  body. 
On  the  neck  the  spots  are  fused  into  a  transverse  spot  on  either  side, 
these  being  irregular  in  shape  and  varying  in  size.  Top  of  head 
usually  dark  brownish  yellow,  densely  speckled  with  black.  A  heavy 
blotch  of  black  pigment  below  the  e^e,  and  frequently  a  black  bar 
crossing  the  posterior  part  of  the  first  temporal  and  the  upper  and 
lower  labials.  Other  head  markings  variable.  Belly  pale,  with  a 
row  of  very  small  spots  on  either  side  (one  on  each  end  of  a  scute) 
that  are  frequently  absent  and  often  irregular  (several  small  ones 
on  each  scute).  Newly  born  individuals  are  said  to  be  dark  ^Y'Ay 
or  black  ^  above,  with  a  ring  of  grayish-white  around  the  neck. 
^'Their  dark  hue  changes  rapidly  and  during  the  warm  months  sue- 


84 


HERPETOLOGY    OF    MICHIGAN. 


ceeding  their  first  hibernation  they  acqnire  the  broT\Ti  of  the  adult 
form"'  (Ditmars,  1907,  267). 

Habits  and  Hahitat:     S.  dekayl  is  rather    interesting^    in    that 
owing  to  its  small  size,  sober  colors  and  retiring  habits  it  is  not 


ILLINOIS      •! 


CHICAGO 


tr-'^,  tAKE 


Fig.  29.     Distribution  of  Sioreria  dekayi. 
Horizontal  ruling,  specimens  examined;  vertical  ruling,  reports  only. 

exterminated  by  civilization,  but  is  able  to  live  within  the  limits 
of  towns,  where  it  is  frequently  found  on  the  sidewalks,  in  vacant 
lots,  etc.  It  seems  to  prefer  dr}-  woods,  and  probably  remains  in 
concealment  most  of  the  time  as  does  its  ally  the  red-bellied  snake. 
Surface  (1906,  139)  records  the  following  items  of  food  in  the 
stomachs  of  four  Pennsylvania  specimens:     ''Earthworms  in  one; 


REPTILES.  85 

slugs  in  three;  undetermined  snails  in  two;  and  undetermined  insect 
larvae  in  t\\^o."  Atkinson  (1901,  148)  states  that  "The  stomachs 
of  several  specimens  contained  earthworms  and  beetles."  Holbrook 
(1842,  IV,  54)  states  that  it  feeds  on  "various  insects." 

Range:  The  species  has  been  reported  from;  Grosse  Isle  (Baird 
and  Girard,  1853,  135,  13G;  Cope,  1900,  1002),  Michigan  (Miles, 
1861,  233;  Holbrook,  1842,  lY,  54),  Ann  Arbor  (Smith,  1879,  7), 
Port  Huron  (Cope,  1900,  1003),  Eaton  County  (Clark,  1902,  194), 
Ann  Arbor,  Olivet,  and  Antrim,  Kalamazoo  and  Montcalm  Coun- 
ties (Clark,  1905,  109),  sand  region  of  Huron  County,  from  Sand 
Point  to  Port  Austin  (Ruthven,  1911a,  20G-2G7).  Specimens  from 
the  following  localities  have  been  examined :  Ann  Arbor,  Portage 
Lake,  Pittsfield,  Ypsilanti,  Delhi,  Washtenaw  County,  Iosco,  Liv- 
ingston County,  Pontiac  and  Orchard  Lake,  Oakland  County,  Port 
Huron,  St,  Clair  County,  Lenawee  County,  sand  region  from  Sand 
Point  to  Port  Austin,  Huron  Couijty,  and  Alma,  Gratiot  County. 

STORERIA  OCCIPITOMACULATA  (Storer). 

RED-BELLIED   SNAKE. 

Storeria  occipitomaculata,  Smith,  1879,  7.  Clark,  1905,  109.  Xote- 
stein,  1905,  114.  Ruthven,  1904a,  189-191;  1906,  110;  1909, 
332;  1911a,  267;  Miles,  1861,  233. 

Description:  A  small  snake  attaining  a  length  of  about  ten 
inches.  Head  small.  Muzzle  short.  Cephalic  plates  normal.  Ros- 
tral normal.  Sides  of  head  high.  First  temporal  large,  those  in  the 
second  row  tending  to  fuse  into  a  single  plate.  Loreal  fused  with 
posterior  nasal.    Nostril  lateral. 

Dorsal  scales  in  15  rows  throughout  the  length  of  the  body. 
Supralabials  usually  6,  rarely  5;  infralabials  usually  7,  occasionally 
6,  rarely  5  or  8.  Oculars  generally  2-2,  rarely  3  preoculars  or  1  or  3 
postoculars.  Ventrals  115-127;  subcaudals  39-48.  Anal  plate 
divided. 

Color  above  variable;  usually  a  chestnut-brown,  it  may  be  light 
or  dark  gray  or  nearly  black.  A  paler  vertebral  band  margined  on 
either  side  by  a  row  of  black  spots  or  a  dark  chestnut  band  usually, 
but  not  always,  present.  First  row  of  scales  occasionally  dark 
chestnut  or  nearly  black,  so  that  four  dark  bands  are  frequently 
present.  Belly  margined  on  either  side  by  a  band  of  gray  speckled 
with  black,  the  median  portion  red.  Three  (a  dorsal  and  two 
lateral)  yellow  spots  just  behind  the  head,  frequently  obscure. 
Young  when  born  uniformly  very  dark  brown  or  black  above,  the 
nuchal  spots  conspicuous  and  the  belly  pink. 


86 


HERPETOLOGY    OF    MICHIGAN. 


Habits  and  Habitat:  The  little  red-bellied  snake  is  mostly  con- 
fined to  woodland  areas,  and  is  very  secretive,  generally  being  found 
under  loose  stones,  logs,  etc.  It  is  a  very  amiable  little  snake,  and 
in  captivity  soon  learns  to  take  food  from  the  fingers.     Its  food  is 


^^^^^^^^    LAKE      SUPERl 
""^     \    -V-/-(    If 


0  R 


DOMI^JION     OF    CANADA 


ILLINOIS 


c  M  ■  c  A  c  e 


EPit 


Fig.   30.     Distribution  of  Storeria  occipitomaciilata. 
Horizontal  ruling,  specimens  examined;  vertical  ruling,  reports  only. 


said  to  consist  of  earthworms  (Ditmars,  1907.  270),  slugs  (Ditmars, 
1907,  270,  Hay,  1892a,  498,  Surface,  190G,  137-138),  beetle  larvae 
(Ditmars,  1907,  270),  insects  (Morse,'  1904,  133). 

The  young  are  born  alive  and  appear  in  small  broods  of  from  five 
to  tliirteen,  the  earliest  date  recorded  being  August  18  (Ditmars, 
1907,  270)  for  a  New  York  specimen,  and  the  latest  date  September 


REPTILES.  87 

26  (Riithven,  1006,  111)  for  an  Isle  Rovale,  Michigan,  specimen. 

Range:  The  species  lias  been  reported  from:  Michigan  (Miles, 
1S61,  233),  Ann  Arbor  (Smith,  1879,  7),  Porcupine  Mountains,  On- 
tonagon County  (Kuthven,  IDOla,  189,  191),  Isle  Koyale,  Porcupine 
Mountains  and  Kalamazoo  County  (Clark,  1905,  109),  Porcupine 
Mountains,  Iron  Countj^  Marquette  and  Isle  Royale  (Ruthven,  1906, 
110,  111),  Isle  Royale  (Ruthven,  1909,  332),  Sand  Point,  Huron 
County  (Ruthven,  1911a,  267).  The  writer  has  seen  specimens 
from  the  following  localities :  Ann  Arbor,  Washtenaw  County, 
Iron  River  and  Crj-stal  Falls,  Iron  County,  Iron  Mountain  and 
Brown  Lake,  Dickinson  County,  Isle  Royale,  Keweenaw  County, 
Porcupine  Mountains,  Ontonagon  County,  Marquette,  Marquette 
County,  Plainfield,  Livingston  County,  Sand  Point,  Huron  County, 
Hancock,  Houghton  County,  Alma,  Gratiot  County  and  Dr.  F.  N. 
Notestein  informs  the  writer  that  he  saw  it  in  Otsego  County  in 
1911. 

HETERODON  PL.ATYRHINUS  Latreille. 

HOG-NOSED  SNAKE. 
(PI.   IX  b.) 

Coluher  heterodori,  Sager,  1839,  302. 

Hetcrodon  platijrliiniis,  Smith,  1879,  6.     Clark,  1905,  110.     Notes- 
stein,  1905,  118.     Ruthven,  1909a,  117;  1911a,  265.     Thomp- 
son, 1911,  107. 
Heterodon  platyrliinus  niger.  Smith,  1879,  6. 

Description:  A  snake  of  robust  build  occasionally  attaining  the 
length  of  three  feet,  but  usually  about  twenty-eight  inches.  Head 
short  and  rather  broad.  The  rostral  plate  greatly  developed  and 
protruded  upward  and  forward,  projecting  from  the  muzzle  as  the 
apex  of  a  triangular  pyramid;  the  anterior  face  broad  and  flat,  the 
laterals  slightly  concave  so  that  the  lateral  and  dorsal  edges  are 
projecting.  Internasals  entirely,  and  prefrontals  partially,  sepa- 
rated by  a  narrow  and  elongated  plate  (azygous)  having  the  form 
of  an  irregular  pentagon  whose  sides  are  parallel.  The  azygous  with 
more  or  less  of  a  median  keel  (continuing  from  the  dorsal  edge  of 
the  rostral).  Two  large  temporal  scales  bordering  the  last  three 
supralabials  and  separated  from  the  temporals  by  two  or  three  rows 
of  smaller  scales.  A  single  loreal,  and  two  nasal  plates,  the  nostril 
valvular  and  situated  entirely  in  the  postnasal.  A  single  and  con- 
tinuous series  of  small  plates  (9,  10,  11,  or  12  in  number)  border- 
ing the  eye  on  the  anterior,  posterior  and  inferior  sides,  occupying 
the  place  of  the  usual  preoculars  and  postoculars,  and  separating 
the  orbit  from  the  supralabials. 


88 


HERPETOLOGY    OF    MICHIGAN. 


Dorsal  scale  rows  iisiialh^  25-23-21-19,  keeled  and  with  two  pits; 
snpralabials  usually  8;  infralabials  9,  10,  or  11;  veutrals  120-137; 
subeaudals  33-48;  anal  divided. 

The  ground  color  of  the  back  varies  from  gray  or  yellow  to  red, 


\\    ccrr.\t-uot^    OF  Canada 

\-  "V 


I  L  L  I  N  0    IS 


Ay    c^/vyf^A 


ERIE 


Fig.  31.     Distribution  of  Heterodon  platyrhinus. 
Horizontal   ruling,   specimens   examined  ;   vertical   ruling,   reports   only. 

reddish  brown  or  black.  When  the  color  is  light  there  are  three 
series  of  spots — a  vertebral  row  of  large  spots  alternating  with  a 
lateral  row  of  smaller  ones  on  either  side.  Tail  cross-banded  above. 
A  dark  band  across  the  head  on  the  suture  between  the  prefrontals 
and  occipitals  and  frontal;  and  another  from  the  orbit  to  the  angle 
of  the  mouth.    An  elongated  dark  blotch  on  either  side  of  the  neck. 


REPTILES.  89 

Ventral  surface  yellow  or  greenish  j^ellow,  occasionally  with  faint 
blotches  of  brown. 

In  uniformly  colored  individuals  the  ground  color  is  greenish 
olive  to  black;  the  ventral  surface  being  immaculate  gTeenish  or 
yellowish.  In  black  individuals  the  spots  are  usually  entirely  want- 
ing; in  the  olivaceous  specimens  the  black  nuchal  spots  are  often 
distinct,  and  the  vertebral  and  lateral  ones  are  often  faintly  in 
evidence. 

Hahlts  and  EuMtat:  As  stated  below,  this  species  has  been  found 
in  but  few  localities  in  Michigan,  but  the  evidence  seems  to  indicate 
that  it  prefers  dr}^  woods  and  occurs  particularly  in  sandy  regions. 
]  t  is  one  of  the  most  interesting  of  the  northeastern  North  American 
snakes.  Its  stocky  build  and  upturned  snout  give  it  a  particularly 
savage  appearance,  which  is  greatly  enhanced  by  its  peculiar  habit 
of  flattening  out  the  fore  part  of  the  body,  and  hissing  loudly 
when  disturbed.  It  also  feigns  death  by  throwing  itself  on  its 
back,  writhing  as  if  in  agony  with  the  mouth  widely  opened,  and 
then  lying  perfectly  relaxed.  It  will  retain  this  posture  for  a  con- 
siderable time,  and  if  turned  over  on  the  ventral  surface  will  im- 
mediately turn  over  on  its  back  again.  Its  formidable  appearance, 
and  the  peculiar  habit  of  flattening  its  body  and  hissing  loudlj-  have 
furnished  the  basis  for  the  most  exaggerated  stories,  earned  for 
it  the  common  names  blowing  adder,  hognosed  viper,  hissing 
viper,  etc.,  and  given  rise  to  the  general  impression  that  it  is  a  very 
venomous  and  greatly  to  be  feared  serpent.  As  a  matter  of  fact 
the  eastern  hognosed  snake  is  not  only  entirely  harmless  but  can 
scarcely  be  induced  to  bite,  and  makes  a  most  interesting  snake  in 
captivity.  The  food  seems  to  consist  almost  entirely  of  toads, 
altho  we  have  observed  them  to  eat  frogs  in  captivity.  Insects  are 
often  found  in  their  stomachs,  but  there  is  no  reason  to  believe 
that  these  are  taken  in  any  other  way  than  in  the  stomachs  of  the 
toads  they  have  swallowed.    The  species  is  oviparous. 

Etuuje:  The  species  has  been  reported  from  Michigan  (Sager, 
1839,  302,  Miles,  1861,  233),  Ann  Arbor  (Smith,  1879,  6),  Wayne, 
Kalamazoo,  Van  Buren,  Allegan  and  Barry  Counties  (Clark,  1905, 
110),  McKinley,  Oscoda  County,  Manistee,  Manistee  County  and 
Pearl  Beach,  St.  Clair  County  (Ruthven,  1909a,  117),  Huron 
County  (Ruthven,  1911a,  205),  and  Cass  County  (Thompson,  1911, 
107).  We  have  seen  specimens  from  Manistee,  Detroit,  the  sand 
region  of  Huron  County,  between  Bayport  and  Port  Austin,  Alma, 
Gratiot  County,  Cass  County,  and  Douglas  Lake,  Cheboygan 
County. 


90  HERPETOLOGY    OF    MICHIGAN. 

From  these  records  it  seems  ])robable  that  the  species  is  to  be 
found  commonly,  if  not  almost  exclusively,  in  the  more  sandy  parts 
of  the  state. 

ELAPHE  OBSOLETUS  (Say). 

PILOT  SNAKE. 
(PI.    VI.) 

Coluber  ohsoletus.  Sager,  1839,  301.     Smith,  1879,  6.     Clark,  1902, 

192;  1903,  172. 
Coluher  spiloides  (Part?),  Cope,  1900,  841-813. 
Callopeltis  ohsoletus,  Clark,  1905,  110. 
Colu'ber  ohsoletus  obsoletiis,  Notestein,  1905,  117. 

Description:  A  large  snake  attaining  a  length  of  from  fiye  and 
one-half  to  eight  feet.  Head  moderately  swollen  through  the  jaws, 
and  tapering  gradually  to  the  end  of  the  snout,  so  that  it  is  decid-' 
edly  elongate;  high  on  the  sides;  the  muzzle  usually  straight  on  the 
sides,  occasionally  slightly  concave  in  the  preocular  region.  Eye 
moderate.  Nostril  lateral.  Cephalic  plates  normal,  the  frontal 
plate  generally  longer  than  broad. 

In  the  few  specimens  examined  the  dorsal  scale  rows  are  25-23- 
21-19-17  and  23-25-21-19-17.*  Supralabials  8,  occasionally  7;  in- 
fralabials  11;  occasionally  12.  Oculars  1-2.  Temporals  2-3,  occa- 
sionally 2-2.  Yentrals  231-236;  subcaudals  79  and  80.  Anal  plate 
divided. 

A  YQYj  good  description  of  the  snake  is  that  given  by  Hay  (1892a, 
501)  :  "In  this,  the  general  color  is  a  black  with  a  bluish  tinge,  or 
a  pitch-black,  most  pronounced  on  the  posterior  portion  of  the 
body.  The  anterior  half  ma^^  be  lighter,  and  show  evidences  of 
blotches.  The  whole  of  this  part  may  have  a  decided  tinge  of  red, 
this  being  due  to  the  color  of  the  skin  between  the  scales ;  vet  the 
red  may  run  up  on  the  bases  of  the  scales.  Occasionally  the  spots 
of  the  upper  surface  are  of  a  decided  red.  The  dorsal  blotches  ex- 
tend down  on  the  sides  to  about  the  7th  row  of  scales,  counting  the 
lowest.  They  are  about  G  inches  long,  and  are  separated  by  the 
length  of  two  scales.  Alternating  with  these  is  another  series  which 
extend  from  the  3rd  to  the  7th  row  of  scales.  These  spots  are  all 
feebly  indicated  by  the  sulphur  yellow  of  the  skin  between  the 
scales;  and  often  the  color  is  almost  uniform  black.  There  are 
some  scales  with  yellow  or  white  edges.  Lower  jaw  and  throat 
white.     The  bellv  is  of  a  slate-color  or  black  on  the  hinder  half; 


*The  number  of  scale  rows  in  the  series  is  usually  given  as  27.  so  that  the  above  formulas 
are  probably  exceeded  in  some  Michigan  specimens.  Needless  to  say  this  summary  of  the 
number  of  scales  in  the  different  series,  based  as  it  is  on  a  small  number  of  specimens,  is  only 
a  very  general  one. 


REPTILES. 


91 


anteriorly  the  black  is  mottled  with  yellowish,  which  color  becomes 
more  and  more  abundant,  until  the  throat  and  chin  are  entirely 
yellowish.  Small,  or  even  half-grown,  individuals  may  have  a 
ground  color  of  ash-graj'  and  numerous  dark  blotches." 


DOMINION     OF    CANADA 


I  L  L  I  N   0    IS 


C  M   I   c  A  0  0 


^^^^m 


Fig.  32.     Distribution  of  Elaphe  obsoletus. 
Horizontal  ruling,  specimens  examined;  vertical  ruling,  reports  only. 


This  snake  is  often  confused  with  the  blue  racer.  It  mav  readilv 
be  distinguished  from  the  latter  by  the  carinated  scales  and  greater 
number  of  scale  rows  and  the  dark  markings  on  the  ventral  surface. 

Hahits  and  Hahitat:  The  writer  has  been  unable  to  gather  any 
data  on  the  habitat  of  the  pilot  snake  in  Michigan.  The  food  that 
the  species  is  kno^Ti  to  take  is  as  follows:  mice  (Hay,  1892a,  503), 


92  HERPETOLOGY    OF    MICHIGAN. 

cotton-tail  rabbit  (Ditmars,  1907,  305).  undetermined  insect  frag- 
ments, undetermined  larvae,  insects,  with  bird  remains,  undeter- 
mined species  of  Ortlioptera,  Acridiidae  (grasshoppers),  wood  frog, 
undetermined  birds,  undetermined  eggs,  chicken  eggs,  robin  eggs, 
red-winged  blackbird,  sparrow,  robin,  undetermined  mammals,  com- 
mon opposum,  undetermined  mice,  meadow  mouse  {M.  "pennsylvani- 
ciis),  Microtus  sp,  (uncertain  species),  house  mouse,  undetermined 
squirrels,  red  squirrels,  chipmunk,  undetermined  shrew,  and 
weasels  (Surface,  1906,  160).  In  the  specimen  taken  at  Ann  Arbor 
by  Winchell  (see  infra)  the  writer  finds  the  remains  of  an  adult 
sparrow. 

The  pilot  snake  is  oviparous.  Hay  (1892,  395)  records  a  pair  that 
were  taken  in  coitu  on  June  19,  and  Surface  (1906,  159)  states  that 
the  eggs  are  laid  during  the  latter  part  of  August  or  early  part  of 
September.  Ditmars  (1907,  306)  writes  that  a  specimen  deposited 
ten  eggs  on  June  26.  Surface  also  states  that  the  eggs  are  laid 
in  loose  earth  or  damp  sawdust;  Stejneger  (1892,  396)  has  recorded 
a  batch  found  in  a  hollow  stump,  and  Hay  (1892,  396)  found  a 
number  in  a  pile  of  stable  manure.  The  last  named  writer  de- 
scribes the  eggs  and  young  as  follows :  'When  found  the  eggs  were 
glued  together  in  one  mass.  Each  e.gg  is  2  inches  long  and  nearly 
an  inch  and  a  quarter  in  the  short  diameter.  On  the  outside  is 
found  a  thick,  leathery,  yellow  covering,  beneath  which  is  a  much 
thinner  coat.  From  one  of  these  eggs  I  have  taken  a  3'oung  snake 
which  measures  ten  and  three-quarters  inches  in  length.  Attached 
to  this  embryo  is  a  considerable  mass  of  yolk,  a  condition  which 
indicates  that  the  embryo  is  not  ready  for  hatching.  Nevertheless, 
all  the  generic  and  specific  characters  are  well  shown.  There  is  a 
well  developed  egg  tooth.  The  intromittent  organs  are  everted  in 
the  specimens  examined." 

Range:  The  status  of  this  snake  in  the  state  is  little  known.  It 
has  been  reported  from  Michigan  (Sager,  1839,  301,  Smith,  1879,  6), 
Eaton  County  (Clark,  1902,  193,  1903,  172),  Olivet,  Ann  Arbor, 
and  Kalamazoo,  Van  Buren  and  Montcalm  Counties  (Clark,  1905, 
110).  The  writer  has  only  seen  four  specimens  that  were  taken 
within  our  limits,  one  from  Alma,  Gratiot  County,  one  from  Eaton 
County,  one  at  Ann  Arbor,  by  Alexander  Winchell,  and  one  from 
I^nawee  County,  by  W.  J.  Beal.  Both  of  the  latter  specimens  are 
without  dates,  but  they  have  been  in  the  University  of  Michigan 
Museum  collection  for  many  years. 


REPTILES.  93 

ELAPHE  VULPINUS  (Baird  and  Girard). 

FOX  snakp:. 
(PI.  IX  a.) 

Coluber  vulpinus,  Notesleiii,  1905,  117.    Smith,  1S71),  (>.    Cope,  1900, 

831-833. 
Scotophis  vmlpinus,  Baird  and  Girard,  1853,  75-7().    Miles,  1861,  233. 
Callopeltis  vulpinus,  Clark,  1905,  110. 
Elaphe  milpimis,  Ruthven,  1909a,  110;  1910,  59;  1911a,  266. 

Description:  A  robust  snake,  attaining  a  length  of  about  four  or 
five  feet.  Head  rather  flat,  broad  and  rather  short,  being  usually 
decidedly  shorter  and  broader  than  in  E.  ohsoletiis.  Sides  of  head 
rather  low,  slightl}^  concave  in  preocular  region.  Eye  moderate, 
pupil  round.  Nostrils  lateral.  Cephalic  plates  normal;  the  frontal 
generally  nearly  or  quite  as  wide  as  long. 

Dorsal  scale  rows  27-25-23-21,  25-27-25-23-21,  25-23-21;  the  first  3 
or  4  smooth,  the  others  weakly  keeled.  Supralabials  8,  occasionally 
7  or  9;  infralabials  9,  10  or  11.  Oculars  usually  1-2.  Yentrals  200- 
212  (196-217,  Cope,  1900,  832)  ;  subcaudals  50-65  (68,  Cope,  1900, 
832).    Anal  plate  divided. 

Ground  color  above  yellowish  or  light  brown.  A  median  series  of 
dark  chocolate  brown  blotches  with  inconspicuous  black  margins 
and  separated  by  two  scales,  the  first  one  or  two  anterior  either 
entirely  or  partly  divided  on  the  median  line.  A^ertebral  spots  usu- 
ally descending  to  the  fifth  or  sixth  rows  on  the  sides,  the  lower 
margin  being  produced  in  an  obtuse  angle.  A  row  of  smaller 
blotches  alternating  with  those  of  the  vertebral  series  on  the  sides 
between  the  second  and  seventh  rows  inclusive.  These  are  also 
margined  with  black,  and  in  turn  alternate  with  another  series  of 
black  blotches  that  involve  the  edge  of  the  ventrals  and  the  first 
one  or  two  rows  of  dorsal  scales.  Belly  pale  yellowish  with  alter- 
nating series  of  quadrate  black  blotches  of  which  the  row  involving 
the  first  one  or  two  dorsal  rows  is  the  outer.  Head  light  brown, 
with  a  dusky  band  across  the  suture  of  the  prefrontals  with  the 
frontal  and  supraoculars,  and  another  from  the  eye  to  the  angle  of 
the  mouth. 

Habits  and  Habitat:  Verv  little  is  known  of  the  habits  or  habitat 
of  the  fox  snake.  In  common  with  some  other  snakes,  it  will,  when 
excited,  frequently  vibrate  the  tail  rapidly  like  the  rattle  snakes. 
As  the  tail  terminates  in  a  horny  point,  a  distinct  buzzing  sound  is 
produced.     It  is  entirel}-    harmless,   and   not  usually  pugnacious. 


94 


HERPETOLOGY    OF    MICHIGAN. 


Ditmars,  1907,  297-298)  writes  of  the  food  and  breeding  habits  as 
follows:  ''The  Fox  Snake  feeds  largely  upon  small  rodents,  young 
rats  and  mice.  To  procure  the  former  it  often  haunts  the  vicinity 
of  barns  and  sheds  where  hay  or  grain  is  stored.    From  this  habit 


vV      DOMINION     OF    CANADA 


I  L  L  I  N   0    IS 


f'itl 

^7      C/t/y/(^/* 


Fig.  33.     Distribution  of  Elaphe  vulpinus. 
Horizontal  ruling,  specimens  examined;  vertical  ruling,  reports  only. 

it  is  sometimes  called  the  house  snake.  The  fully  adult  individuals 
eat  mammals  as  large  as  half-grown  rabbits.  They  occasionally 
prey  upon  birds  and  will  eat  their  eggs,  swallowing  them  entire 
and  breaking  the  shell  in  the  throat  by  the  contraction  of  the 
muscles.  The  good  this  species  does  in  destroying  the  smaller,  in- 
jurious creatures  of  the  fields,  should  cause  it  to  be  the  recognized 


REPTILES.  95 

friend  of  tlie  fanner.  One  snake  is  worth  a  dozen  Irajts,  for  llie 
reptile  prowls  into  the  bnrrows  and  nests  of  rats  and  mice  and  eats 
the  entire  brood. 

"Like  all  of  the  Colnbers,  the  Fox  Snake  deposits  a  <-onsid(M-al>le 
number  of  eg*gs,  generally  in  the  hollow  of  a  rolling  stump,  and 
leaves  them  without  further  ado,  to  hatch  within  six  or  eight  weeks 
time.  The  eggs  gradually  increase  in  size  by  al)sorbing-  the  moisture 
of  the  wood  pulp  in  which  they  are  de])Osited.  Just  jnior  to  hatch 
ing,  an  egg  is  a  third  or  half  larger  than  wlicn  it  was  lai<l.  One 
of  the  writer's  specimens  deposited  12  eggs  on  tlic  first  of  duly. 
They  Avere  adhesive  in  a  single  cluster.  These  eggs  began  hatching 
on  the  21st  of  August,  and  all  had  not  hatched  until  abcnit  ten  days 
later.  The  female  specimen  was  three  and  a  half  feet  in  length 
and  in  proportion  to  her  size  the  young  were  very  large." 
A  specimen  taken  in  Huron  county  by  the  writer  (Ruthven,  1011  a. 
266)  had  eaten  four  young  rabbits. 

Range:  The  species  has  been  reported  from:  Grosse  Isle  (Baird 
and  Girard,  1853,  75-76),  south  shore  of  Saginaw  liay  (Miles,  isi;i, 
233),  Grosse  Isle  (Cope,  1900,  832),  St.  Clair  County  (Huthven, 
1909a,  110),  Dickinson  County  (Ruthven,  1910,  59),  Stony  Island 
and  sand  region  of  Huron  County  (Ruthven,  1911a,  2GG).  Speci- 
mens have  been  examined  from:  Pearl  Beach  and  Herseu's  Island. 
St.  Clair  County,  Stony  Island  and  Sand  Point,  Huron  County, 
Brown  Lake,  Dickinson  County,  and  Monroe  County.  Captain  C. 
C.  McDonald,  light-house  keeper  (m  Charity  Island,  has  inf(M-ined 
the  writer  that  lie  killed  a  pair  of  these  snakes  in  coitu  on  the 
island  a  number  of  years  ago.  Captain  McDonald  is  familiar  with 
the  species,  and  the  record  can  be  accepted,  aliho  the  snake  has  not 
since  been  observed  on  the  island. 

NATRIX  SIPEDON  (Linnaeus). 

WATERSNAKE. 

Coluher  sipedon,  Sager,  1839,  302. 
Tropidonotus  sipedon,  Smith,  1879,  6. 

^^atrix  fasciata  sipedon,  Clark,  1902,   1!)4;   1903,   173.     Notestein, 
1905,  117.     Cope,  1900,  909-972.     Clark,   190:>>b.     llankinson, 

1908,  230. 
Natrix  sipedon,  Kirsch,  1895,  333.     Thompson,  1911.  100.     Rntliven. 

1911,  115;  1911a,  209. 
Natrix  sipedon  fasciata,  Clark,  VM):k  109. 
Katrix  erythrogaster,  Clark,  19(12,  194;  llMi;;,  172;  l!Hr,.  109;  VMV.\h. 


96  HERPETOLOGY    OF    MICHIGAN. 

Natrix  fasciata  crythrogaster,  Xotesteiu,  1905,  111. 
Tropidonottis  erytlirogaster,  Smith,  1879,  6. 

Nerodia  agassizii,  Baird  and  Girard,  1853,  41-42.     Miles,  1861,  233. 
Xerodia  sipedon,  Baird  and  Girard,  1853,  38-39.     Miles,  1861,  233. 

Description:  Medium  sized  snakes  of  robust  form;  size  three  and 
a  half  to  four  feet.  Head  decidedly  swollen  at  the  base  of  tlTe  jaws, 
rather  narrow  and  elongate,  with  high  and  straight  sides.  The 
muzzle  bluntly  sub-conical,  so  that  the  nostrils  are  directed  upward 
to  some  extent.  The  nostrils  quite  small  and  capable  of  being 
closed. 

Dorsal  scales  generally  23-21-19-17;  occasionally  21-23-21-19-17; 
more  rarely  23-25-23-21-19-17,  and  23-21-19- (17).  Labials  nearly 
ahvays  8-10,  very  rarely  9  (or  7)  superior  and  9  or  11  inferior 
scutes  in  the  series.  Oculars  1-3,  with  rare  exceptions  1-2  or  1-4. 
Temporals  1-3  with  occasionally  2  in  the  second  row-.  Ventrals 
137-149,  subcaudals  56-75.     Anal  divided. 

The  coloration  of  this  species  has  been  well  described  by  Cope 
(1900,  970-971)  :  "In  young  individuals  and  in  those  generally  in 
which  the  epidermis  has  been  removed,  the  normal  type  of  color- 
ation is  seen  to  consist  of  three  series  of  nearly  quadrate  dark 
brown  spots,  with  still  darker  borders,  one  dorsal  and  one  lateral 
on  each  side.  These  are  so  disposed  that  the  two  corresponding 
lateral  spots  are  opposite  the  intervals  between  the  dorsals,  and 
thus  appear  to  be  connected  by  a  light  line.  The  longitudinal  diam- 
eter of  the  dorsal  spots,  amounting  to  three  or  four  scales,  is 
the  greater;  just  the  reverse  of  what  is  the  case  with  the  lateral. 
Of  these  lateral  spots  there  are  generally  about  thirty-two  on 
each  side  from  the  head  to  the  anus,  the  spaces  between  equal  to 
or  less  than  the  spots,  not  greater,  as  in  T.  fasciata.  While  the 
pattern  is  generally  quite  distinguishable  on  the  posterior  half  of 
the  body,  anteriorly  it  becomes  confused,  the  lateral  blotches  stand- 
ing opposite  to  the  dorsal  and  becoming  confluent,  so  that  the  back 
appears  crossed  by  lozenge  shaped  blotches  extending  to  the  ab- 
dominal scutellae,  and  this  separated  on  the  sides  by  triangular 
intervals  of  a  lighter  color. 

''Occasionally  the  color  appears  to  be  a  dull  and  rather  light 
brown,  Avith  the  back  crossed  by  narrow  transverse  lines,  with  dark 
(nearly  black,  but  still  not  distinct)  margins."  Frequently  the 
general  color  is  so  dark  that  the  animal  is  more  or  less  uniformly 
dark  brow^n  or  black  above,  and  in  some  of  the  black  individuals 
the  belly  is  red  (so  called  variety  erytlirogaster). 

HaUts  and  Hahitat:     This  well  known  snake  is  common  along 


REPTILES. 


97 


the  streams  and  lakes  of  southern  Michigan.  It  is  never  found  far 
from  such  habitats  and  generally  frequents  logs  or  branches  of 
bushes  overhanging  the  Avater,  into  which  it  glides  swiftly  on  the 
slightest  sign  of  danger,  and  conceals  itself  on  the  bottom.     On 


DOMINION     CF    CANADA 


I  I-  L  I  N  0    IS 


O  N  I  C  AO  • 


V -tAKE    ,^ 

ERIE 


Fig.  34.     Distribution  of  Matrix  sipedon. 
Horizontal  ruling,  specimens  examined;  vertical  ruling,  reports  only. 

sandy  and  rocky  shores  where  bushes  and  trees  do  not  come  down 
to  the  waters  edge  (for  example,  along  the  Great  Lakes)  it  is  found 
under  logs  and  driftwood. 

A  considerable  variety  of  food  has  been  recorded  In  the  stomachs 
of  these  snakes.    Surface  (1906,  156)  records  insect  fragments  with 
toad  remains,  undetermined  species  of  orthoptera,  two-striped  grass- 
13 


98  HERPETOLOGY   OF    MICHIGAN. 

hopper,  striped  brown  cricket,  undetermined  ground  beetles,  unde- 
termined vertebrates,  undetermined  fish,  catfish,  white  sucker, 
Cottus  ictalops,  Cottiis  ricliardsoni,  undetermined  salamander, 
Plethodon  cinereus,  tadpole,  toad,  green  frogs,  undetermined  mam- 
mals, meadow  mouse  (Microtus  pennsylvanicus)  ,  common  shrew 
(Sorew  persoiiatus) .  Atkinson  (1901,  150)  says  that  it  feeds  upon 
"crustaceans,  fish,  and  batrachians."  De  Kay  (1842,  42)  found  it 
feeding  on  the  lake  lamprey,  bullhead,  brook  trout,  and  white 
sucker.  Blatchley  (1891,  30)  removed  seven  leopard  frogs  from  a 
single  specimen.  Ortmann  (1906,  495)  states  that  crawfish  form  an 
important  part  of  the  diet  of  this  snake.  Notwithstanding  the 
variets^  of  food  which  it  is  thus  evident  that  the  watersnake  will 
eat,  fish  form  by  far  the  greater  part  of  the  diet.  In  the  few 
stomachs  which  we  have  examined  from  southern  Michigan  speci- 
mens, small  fish  alone  were  found,  and  these  often  in  considerable 
numbers. 

•  Range:  The  species  has  been  reported  from:  Grosse  Isle  and 
Lake  Huron  (Baird  and  Girard,  1853,  38,  39  and  42),  Michigan 
(Sager,  1839,  302;  Miles,  1861,  p.  233),  Ann  Arbor  (Smith,  1879, 
6),  Lansing  (Cope,  1900,  977),  Hudson,  Manitou  Beach  and  Tiffin 
River,  Lenawee  County  (Kirsch,  1895,  333),  Eaton  County  (Clark, 
1903,  172;  1903b;  1902,  194),  Cass  County  (Thompson,  1911,  106), 
Ann  Arbor,  Lansing,  and  Olivet,  and  Antrim,  Barry,  Kalamazoo, 
Kent,  Montcalm,  Ottawa,  St.  Joseph  and  Van  Buren  Counties 
(Clark,  1905,  109),  Huron  County  (Ruthven,  1911a,  269),  Walnut 
Lake,  Oakland  County  (Hankinson,  1908,  p.  256),  and  Douglas 
Lake,  Cheboygan  County  (Ruthven,  1911,  115).  The  writer  has 
examined  specimens  from  Walnut  Lake  and  Pontiac,  Oakland 
County,  Washtenaw  County,  North  and  Stony  Islands  and  the 
sand  region  of  Huron  County,  Charity  Island,  Saginaw  Bay, 
Douglas  Lake,  Cheboygan  County,  Shelby,  Oceana  County,  Cass 
County,  Allegan  County,  Oscoda  County,  and  Alma,  Gratiot 
County. 

KEGINA  L.EBERIS  (Linnaeus). 

LEATHER   SNAKE. 

Colu'ber  septemvittatus^  Sager,  1839,  302. 
Tropidonotus  leheris,  Holbrook,  1842,  IV,  51. 
l^atrix  leheris,  Clark,  1902,  194.    Notestein,  1905,  116. 
Regina  leleris,  Baird  and  Girard,  1853,  45-46.     Clark,  1905,  110. 
Smith,  1879,  6.     Miles,  1801,  233. 
Descripticyii:    Slender,  medium  sized  snakes  attaining  a  length  of 
about  two  feet.    Head  rather  flat  from  the  nape,  sides  low. 


REPTILES. 


99 


Dorsal  scale  rows  19-17  in  every  specimen  examined,  except  in 
a  few  that  have  21  just  behind  the  head.  Labials  usually  7-10, 
occasionally  7-9  or  7-11.  Oculars  2-2,  the  preoculars  rarely  fused 
into  a  single  scale.  One  anterior  temporal.  Ventrals  142-154,  sub- 
caudals  65-81.    Anal  plate  divided. 


Fig.  35.     Distribution  of  Regina  leberis. 
Horizontal  ruling,  specimens  examined;  vertical  ruling,  reports  only. 


Ground  color  above  uniformlv  dark  chestnut  or  chocolate  brown, 
as  is  also  the  top  and  sides  of  the  head  above  the  labials  and  the 
lower  part  of  the  lower  postoculars.  A  bright  yellow  band  occu- 
pies the  second  and  upper  part  of  the  first  scale  row,  and  is  con- 
tinued on  the  head  to  include  the  supralabials,  lower  part  of  the 
lower  postocular  and  the  lower  part  of  the  rostral  plate.    Although 


100 


HERPETOLOGY    OF    MICHIGAN. 


frequentl}'  obscure  there  is  a  narrow  black  line  on  the  fifth  and 
occasionally  on  adjacent  parts  of  the  fourth  and  sixth  dorsal  rows 
on  either  side  and  one  on  the  median  (tenth)  row.  Occasionally 
the  entire  area  between  the  lower  lateral  line  and  the  light  lateral 
stripe  on  the  second  and  third  rows  appears  blackish.  Ends  of 
ventrals  with  the  lower  part  of  the  first  scale  row  usually  brownish, 
forming  a  dark  band.  Belly  dull  yellow  with  two  parallel  bands 
of  brown  that  are  broken  by  the  narrow  pale  margins  of  the  scutes 
and  unite  into  a  single,  narrow,  median  band  on  the  throat. 

Hahits  ami  HaVitat:  Little  is  recorded  on  the  habits  of  this 
snake.  Morse  (1904,  132)  states  that  it  is  often  found  hanging 
over  a  stream  from  projecting  willoAvs  from  which  it  glides  rapidly 
into  the  water  when  disturbed."  It  is  apparentl}^  quite  aquatic. 
Atkinson  (1901,  119)  states  that  in  its  stomach  "crayfish  are  most 
frequently  found,  also  occasionally  fish  and  small  frogs."  Surface 
(1906,  151)  examined  four  specimens  which  had  eaten  crayfish, 
and  one  of  these  had  eaten  a  toad.  Ortmann  (1907,  495)  states  that 
crayfish  form  an  important  part  of  its  diet  and  that  he  has  seen  it 
disgorge  Camharus  ohsourus  when  captured. 

Range:  The  species  has  been  reported  from:  Grosse  Isle  (Baird 
and  Girard,  1853,  45,  46),  Michigan  (Sager,  1839,  302;  Miles  1801, 
233;  Holbrook,  1842,  IV,  51),  Ann  Arbor  (Smith,  1879,  6),  Eaton 
County  (Clark,  1902,  194),  Olivet  and  Montcalm,  Kalamazoo  and 
Van  Buren  Counties  (Clark,  1905,  110).  The  writer  has  examined 
numerous  specimens  from  Washtenaw  County,  and  one  from  the 
vicinity  of  Manistee,  Manistee  County. 


CLONOPHIS  KIKTL.ANDII  (Kenuicott). 


KIRTLAND  SNAKE. 

Regina  kirtlandi,  Smith,  1879,  6. 

Glonopliis  kirtlandi,  Clark,  1905,  109. 

IS^atrix  Urtlandii,  Cope,  1900,  997.     Notestein,  1905,  116. 

Desaiption:  A  rather  small  snake  attaining  a  length  of  about 
eighteen  inches.  Head  small  and  pointed,  sloping  downward  from 
the  nape;  sides  not  concave  in  front  of  eye,  the  latter  small  and 
slightly  protruding.  Nasal  plates  united  above  the  nostril.  The 
scutellation  of  the  two  Michigan  specimens  examined  is  as  follows : 


Dorsals 

Supralabials 

Infralabials 

Oculars 

Temporals 

Subcaudals 

Ventrals 

19-17 
19-17 

6 
•     5 

7 
7 

1-2 

1-2 

1-2 
1-2 

1 

56 

54 

134 
130 

REPTILES. 


101 


Ground  color  light  brown  and  narrowl}"  restricted  by  large,  con- 
spicuous, quadrate,  black  blotches  arranged  in  two  rows  on  either 
side.  Spots  of  the  lower  roAv  larger;  those  of  the  two  upper  rows 
occasionally  fused  across  the  back.    The  first  one  or  two  scale  rows 


Fig.  36.     Distribution  of  Clonophis  kirtlandii. 
Horizontal  ruling;  specimens  examined;  vertical  ruling,  reports  only. 

light  ash,  like  the  ends  of  the  ventrals.  Top  of  head  marbled  Avith 
black  and  brown.  Supralabials  dull  yellow.  A  small,  well  defined, 
black  spot  on  the  outer  end  of  each  ventral  scute,  forming  with  its 
fellows  a  row  of  spots  along  either  side  of  the  abdomen.  Ends  of 
ventrals  outside  of  spots  gray  finely  speckled  with  black.  Middle  of 
the  abdomen  said  to  be  red  in  life,  in  alcohol  it  becomes  vellow. 


102  HERPETOLOGY    OF    MICHIGAN. 

Habits  and  Habitat:  This  snake  is  apparently  very  rare  in  Michi- 
gan. We  have  seen  but  two  specimens,  as  stated  below.  These 
were  both  taken  in  a  large  tamarack  swamp.     It  is  said    (Cope, 

1900,  997;  Ditmars,  1907,  262)  to  frequent  damp  woods  and  to  be 
found  generally  under  logs;  also  that  when  near  it  it  will  take 
to  the  water  and  dive  to  the  bottom  like  a  true  water  snake.  It  is 
reported  to  feed  largely  on  small  frogs  and  toads,  and  that  captive 
specimens  will  eat  fish  (Ditmars,  1907,  262)  and  slugs   (Atkinson, 

1901,  150).     The  young  are  born  alive. 

Range:  The  species  has  been  reported  from:  Ann  Arbor  (Smith, 
1879,  6),  Kalamazoo  (Cope,  1900,  997)  Ann  Arbor  and  Kalamazoo 
(Clark,  1905,  109). 

The  two  specimens  of  this  snake  described  above  were  taken  near 
Ann  Arbor.    They  are  the  only  ones  the  writer  has  seen. 

LIOPELTIS  VERNALIS  (DeKay). 

GRASS    SNAKE. 

Coluber  vernalis,  Sager,  1839,  302. 

Liopeltis  vernalis,  Smith,   1879,  7.     Clark,   1902,   193;   1905,   110. 
Notestein,  1905,  118.     Cope,  1900,  782-784.     Kuthven,  1911, 
115;  1911a,  267. 
Chlorosoma  vernalis,  Miles,  1861,  233. 

Description:  A  slender  and  rather  small  snake,  attaining  a 
length  of  one  and  one-half  feet.  Bod}^  about  same  diameter  through- 
out, i.  e.,  not  tapering  strongly  toward  the  extremities,  but  the  head 
well  marked  off.  Cephalic  plates  normal  in  arrangement,  rostral 
normal  in  form.  Sides  of  head  high,  but  muzzle  short  which  tends 
to  crowd  out  the  x)lates  in  front  of  the  eye.  Nasals  fused.  Loreal 
when  present  of  normal  height  but  nearly  as  often  absent  as  pres- 
ent; -when  absent  it  is  fused  with  nasal.    Nostril  lateral. 

Dorsal  scale  rows  15  throughout  the  entire  length  of  the  body, 
scales  smooth.  Supralabials  usually  7,  occasionally  8;  infralabials 
usually  8,  frequently  7,  and  rarely  9.  Oculars  usually  2-2,  occasion- 
ally 1-2,  rarely  1-3  or  2-3.  Yentrals  123-134;  subcaudals  71-84 
(Baird  and  Girard  cite  an  example  with  94).    Anal  plate  divided. 

Uniformly  bright  green  above  and  yellowish  white  beneath. 

Habits  and  Habitat:  The  grass  snake  is  an  exceedingly  beautiful, 
agile,  and  harmless  little  snake  that  in  Michigan  is  usualh'  found 
in  dry  open  clearings.  It  is  generally  on  the  ground  but  may 
climb  small  shrubs.  The  following  definite  observations  on  the  food 
habits  have  appeared  in  the  literature :  snails,  spidei^,  insect  frag- 
ments, larvae,  unidentified  orthoptera,  crickets,  grasshoppers,  un- 


REPTILES. 


103 


identified  lepidoptera,  measuring  worms,  ground  beetles  {Bar pains 
sp.),  red  ants,  striped  salamander  (Surface,  1906,  165-lCG)  ;  insects 
(Ditmars,  1907,  324-325)  ;  grasshoppers  (Atkinson,  1901,  148)  ; 
spiders,  grasshoppers  and  crickets,  but  in  preference  to  anything 


\,^  DOMINION     OF    CANADA 


I  L  LI  N  0    IS 


Vi     CANADA 


Fig.  37.     Distribution  of  Liopeltlis  vcrnalis. 
Horizontal  ruling,  specimens  examined;  vertical  ruling,  reports  only, 

of  this  character  will  take  the  larvae  or    caterpillars    of    certain 
moths''  (Ditmars,  1907,  325). 

Range:  The  species  has  been  reported  from:  Michigan  (Sager, 
1839,  302;  Miles,  1861,  233),  Ann  Arbor  (Smith,  1879,  7),  Detroit 
(Cope,  1900,  783),  Eaton  County  (Clark,  1902,  193),  Olivet,  Ann 
Arbor,  and  Barry,  Kalamazoo,  Kent,  Montcalm    and    Van  Buren 


104  HERPETOLOGY    OF    MICHIGAN. 

Counties  (Clark,  1905,  110),  Huron  County  (Rutliven,  1911a,  267) 
and  Cheboygan  County  (Rutliyen,  1911,  115).  Specimens  from  the 
following  localities  haye  been  examined :  Ann  Arbor,  Washtenaw 
Count}',  Au  Sable  Riyer.  Oscoda  County,  Brighton,  Liyingston 
County,  Higgins  Lake,  Roscommon  County,  Grayling,  Crawford 
County,  Trayerse  City,  Grand  Trayerse  County,  Bad  Axe  and  Sand 
Point,  Huron  County,  Manistee,  Manistee  County,  Douglas  Lake, 
Cheboygan  County,  Brown  Lake,  Dickinson  County,  Alma,  Gratiot 
Count}',  Eaton  County,  Mackinac  County,  and  Dr.  F.  N.  Xotestein 
informs  me  that  he  saw  specimens  in  Otsego  County  in  1911. 

DIADOPHIS  PUNCTATA  (Linnaevis). 

RINGNECKED    SXAl^E. 

Coluher  punctatus,  Sager,  1839,  302. 

Biadophis  punctatus,  Clark,  1902,  193;  1905,  110.  Xotestein,  1905, 
119.  Smith,  1879,  7.  Ruthyen,  1906,  111;  1911,  114.  Miles, 
1861,  233.     Cope,  1900,  751-753. 

Description:  A  small  snake  that  attains  a  length  of  about  a  foot 
or  eighteen  inches.  Head  flat  and  broad,  low  on  the  sides.  Eye 
small.     Two  nasal  plates. 

The  scutellation  is  described  as  follows :  Dorsal  scale  rows  15, 
the  scales  smooth.  Supralabials  usually  8,  often  7;  infralabials  8. 
Oculars  2-2,  temporals  1-1.  Yentrals  141-161,  subcaudals  36-56.  Anal 
plate  diyided.  In  the  three  specimens  examined  by  us  (from  Ann 
Arbor,  Oliyet  and  Oakland  County)  the  scutellation  is :  dorsals  15 
throughout  the  length  of  the  body,  supralabials  7-8,  7-7,  8-7,  in- 
fralabials 8-8,  7-7  in  two,  oculars  2-2  in  two,  2-1  in  one,  temporals 
1-1  on  each  side,  yentrals  144,  148,  159,  subcaudals  57,  50,  ?. 

The  writer  has  seen  but  one  liye  specimen  of  this  snake  in  Michi- 
gan. Hay  (1892a,  493)  describes  the  coloration  as  follows:  "The 
color  aboye  yaries  in  the  subspecies,  or  yarieties,  from  oliye  through 
gray  to  blue-black;  below  from  yellowish  white  to  orange  and  red, 
with  more  or  fewer  dark  spots.  There  is  usually  a  light  ring 
around  the  neck,  close  to  the  head. 

"The  form  in  Indiana  is  the  topical  pimctatus.  The  color  above 
is  a  bluish  black  or  a  dark  ash,  with  a  wash  of  bronzy  that  extends 
down  to  the  lowest  rows  of  scales.  Below,  the  color  is  orange  or 
deep  red,  somewhat  ]jalest  in  front.  On  the  outer  ends  of  each  of 
the  yentrals  there  is  a  small  black  spot,  and  these  are  inyolyed  in 
the  color  of  the  dorsal  scales.  Near  the  middle  line  of  the  yentrals 
may  be  two  rows  of  dark  spots,  or  the  spots  on  the  yentrals  may 


REPTILES.  105 

unite  to  form  transverse  bars.  The  ring  around  the  neck  is  orange, 
edged  with  black.  It  is  one  or  two  scales  in  width.  Upper  labials 
yellow." 

Hahlts  and  Hahitat:  But  little  has  been  recorded  on  the  habits 
of  this  snake.  B}'  far  the  best  account  is  that  of  Ditmars  (1907, 
335).  ''The  Ringnecked  snake  is  a  secretive  species,  hiding  under 
the  loose,  rotting  bark  of  fallen  trees,  among  loose  rocks  or  under 
flat  stones.  It  is  seldom  seen  abroad  and  if  it  ventures  from  its 
lairs,  usually  i)rowls  at  night.  In  the  North  the  writer  has  col- 
lected large  numbers  of  these  pretty  snakes  b}"  turning  over  flat 
stones.  He  remembers  a  particular  stone,  about  the  size  of  an  ordi- 
nary i)latter,  lying  near  the  edge  of  heavy  timber,  in  Sullivan 
County,  New  York,  that  appeared  to  be  a  favorite  hiding  place  for 
snakes  of  this  species.  In  his  daily  trips  to  the  woods,  this  stone 
was  always  turned  over,  and  generally  to  disclose  a  ring-necked 
snake,  snugly  coiled  beneath  it.  Many  specimens  were  taken  at 
this  spot.  They  had  apparently  prowled  about  the  clearing  at 
night  and  on  their  way  back  to  the  thicket,  and  its  hiding  places, 
had  discovered  the  shelving  stone. 

"In  the  South,  large  numbers  of  these  reptiles  were  collected  by 
stripping  the  bark  from  fallen  trees.  To  find  fifty  or  more  speci- 
mens during  a  half-days  hunt  for  various  reptiles  that  select  such 
hiding  places,  was  not  unusual.  The  Ringnecked  Snakes  were  most 
frequently  found  under  the  bark  of  trees  infested  by"  ants;  often 
the  working  streams  of  these  insects  would  pass  but  a  fraction  of 
an  inch  from  the  spot  where  the  reptile  lay  coiled.  In  one  instance, 
while  pursuing  some  entomological  investigations  during  the  early 
spring,  the  writer  exliumed  one  of  these  snakes  while  digging 
through  a  large  and  thickly  populated  ant  hill." 

The  Oakland  County  specimen  (see  below)  was  found  under  the 
bark  of  a  decaying  stum[). 

It  has  been  said  to  feed  on  the  following  forms :  snakes.  lizards, 
amphibians,  insects  and  earthworms.  S])ecific  records  are  as  fol- 
lows: green  snake,  Liopeltis  vernalis^  and  red-bellied  snakes, 
Storeria  occipifoiiuiciilata  (Ditmars,  1907,  330)  ;  frog,  Engystoma 
caroUnense  (Cope,  1900,  753)  ;  beetles  and  earthworms,  (Atkinson, 
1901,  148)  ;  insects  (beetles  and  undetermined  fragments),  sala- 
mander, Pletliodon  cinereus,  and  undetermined  remains  (Surface, 
1906,  173). 

The  ringnecked  snake  is  oviparous.  The  following  account  of  the 
breeding  habits  is  from  Surface  (1900,  172).  "The  latent  gonads 
or  undeveloped  eggs  are  one-fourth  inch  in  length  and  commence  to 


106 


HERPETOLOGY    OF    MICHIGAN. 


develop  in  May,  when  thev  reach  a  length  of  one-half  inch,  and  by 
the  middle  of  June  they  are  practically  developed  or  over  one  inch 
long.  They  are  laid  from  the  middle  of  June  to  July  or  August  and 
each  is  covered  with  a  thin  opaque  shell,  white  and  leathery,  and 


Fig.  38.     Distribution  of  Diadophis  punctata. 
Horizontal  ruling,  specimens  examined;  vertical  ruling,  reports  only. 

very  irregular  in  shape  and  size.  They  hatch  in  September  and 
October,  and  the  young  are  about  four  inches  in  length  at  the  time 
of  hatching.'^ 

Range:  The  ringnecked  snake  is  evidently  rare  in  the  state.  The 
species  has  been  reported  from  Michigan  (Sager,  1839,  302;  Miles, 
1861,   233),   Ann   Arbor    (Smith,   1879,   7),   Grayling    (Cope,   1900, 


REPTILES.  107 

753),  Eaton  County  (Clark,  1902,  193),  Olivet,  Kalamazoo,  Mont- 
calm and  Van  Buren  Counties  (Clark,  1905,  110),  Marquette  (Ruth- 
ven,  1906,  111),  Pine  Lake,  Oakland  County  (Ruthven,  1911,  114), 
but  there  is  great  probability  that  some  of  these  records  refer  to 
3^oung  specimens  of  Storeria.  The  Marquette  record  is  particularly 
open  to  question  and  has  not  been  recorded  upon  the  map.  We 
have  seen  specimens  from:  Ann  Arbor,  Washtenaw  County  (a 
single  specimen  taken  many  years  ago  and  now  in  the  Museum), 
Pine  Lake,  Oakland  County,  Olivet,  Eaton  County,  Alma,  Gratiot 
County,  and  Douglas  Lake,  Cheboygan  County,  and  Dr.  F.  N. 
Notestein  informs  the  writer  that  he  saw  the  species  in  numbers 
in  Otsego  County  in  1911. 

BASCANION  CONSTKICTOK  (Linnaeus). 

BLUE   RACER. 
(PI.   X.) 

Colu'ber  constrictor^  Sager,  1839,  302. 

Bascanion   constrictor   constrictor,    Notestein,    1905,    119.      Clark, 

1905,  110.     Smith,  1879,  7. 
Bascanion  foxii,  Baird  and  Girard,  1853,  96.    Miles,  1861,  233. 
Zamenis  constrictor,  Clark,  1902,  193;  1903,  172-173. 
Bascanion  canstrictor  foxi,  Smith,  1879,  7. 

Bascanion  constrictor,  Baird  and  Girard,  1853,  93-94.  Whittaker, 
1905,  100-102.  Miles,  1861,  233.  Cope,  1900,  701-797. 
Hankinson,  1908,  236.    Thompson,  1911,  107. 

Description:  A  large  snake  that  often  attains  a  length  of  about 
six*  feet.  Head  somewhat  flattened  from  the  nape,  but  profile  curv- 
ing downward  anterior  to  the  eye,  high  on  the  sides  and  sides  con- 
cave in  front  of  eye.    Xostril  and  ej^e  large. 

Dorsal  scale  rows  17-15  in  ever}-  specimen  examined.  Suprala- 
bials  7,  frequently  8;  infralabials  8  or  9.  Oculars  1-2,  generally*  a 
small  plate  under  the  preocular.  Temporals  usually  two  in  the  first 
row.     Ventrals  175-192;  subcaudals  88-92.     Anal  plate  divided. 

Michigan  specimens  when  adult  usually  uniformly  dull  bluish 
green  above,  rarely  darker  than  dark  olive,  becoming  black  only  on 
the  temporal  region  and  more  or  less  brownish  toward  the  end  of 
the  muzzle.  Color  of  ventral  surface  nearly  always  greenish  or 
bluish  white,  although  frequently  tinged  with  yellow. 

The  young  differ  so  markedly  from  the  adults  that  a  superficial 
examination  would  seem  to  indicate  that  thev  belono^  to  a  different 
species,  and  as  a  matter  of  fact  they  are  frequently  confused  with 


108  HERPETOLOGY    OF    MICHIGAN. 

the  milk  snake  (Lampropeltis  doliatus  triangulus) .  Specimens  less 
than  one  and  one-half  feet  in  length  may  be  described  as  follows: 
ground  color  dark  olive,  this  color  belonging  mostly  to  the  centers 
of  the  scales,  the  edges  being  paler.  A  roAV  of  large  blotches  on  the 
back,  extending  about  to  the  fourth  row  of  scales,  about  3  to  4 
scales  long,  and  separated  on  the  median  line  by  about  the  length  of 
half  a  scale.  These  spots  with  dark  brown  to  black  margins,  the 
centers,  in  some  cases  at  least,  light  brownish  olive.  Exterior  to 
the  dorsal  blotches,  on  the  first  four  rows  of  dorsal  scales,  numer- 
ous small  and  irregular  black  spots.  Top  and  sides  of  head,  and  the 
pale  ventral  surface  also  marked  with  numerous  small,  black  spots. 

Hahlts  and  Habitat:  The  blue-racer  is  most  frequently  found  in 
(]ry,  open  situations,  general!}'  near  or  in  thickets.  It  also  frequents 
liedge  rows,  and  stone  walls.  It  is  a  good  climber  and  is  not  in- 
frequently found  several  feet  from  the  ground  in  bushes  and  twenty 
(►r  thirty  feet  up  in  trees  (Plate  X).  It  is  extremely  graceful  and 
agile  as  are  all  of  the  members  of  the  genus,  and  very  frequently 
eludes  a  would  be  captor.  It  will  fight  furiously  when  cornered 
or  captured,  but  its  small  teeth  can  do  little  more  than  puncture 
the  skin.  As  every  herptologist  knows,  the  blue-racer  is  not  venom- 
ous (as  popularly  supposed),  but  entirely  harmless,  so  that  even 
the  largest  specimens  ma^^  be  handled  with  impunity.  Indeed  they 
make  rather  interesting  pets,  and  soon  cease  to  resent  handling. 
The  senseless  slaughter  of  this  beautiful  snake  is  as  much  a  dis- 
grace to  anv  civilized  community  as  is  the  similar  destruction  of 
song  birds,  and  an  all  too  common  occurrence  in  southern  Michi- 
gan. Large  and  conspicuous,  the  adults  often  fall  prey  to  the 
ignorance  and  superstition  of  people  who  should  know  better. 
The  writer  recalls  an  instance  when  a  farmer  shoAved  him  with 
great  satisfaction  six  splendid  specimens  not  one  of  them  under  five 
feet,  which  he  had  killed  in  a  brush  pile,  under  the  impression  that 
he  -Avas  greatly  benefiting  the  community  by  ridding  it  of  six  very 
dangerous  animals. 

The  food  of  the  blue-racer  consists  of  small  mammals,  birds,  bird 
eggs,  other  reptiles,  amphibians  and  possibly  insects.  Exact  records 
of  stomach  examinations  or  direct  observations  of  the  food  habits 
are  few.  The  principle  food  seems  to  be  small  mammals,  and  birds 
probably  occupy  a  second  place.  Surface  (1906,  170)  states  that  in 
the  Pennsylvania  specimens  examined  by  him  the  meadow  mouse 
[Microtiis  pemisylvanicus)  formed  a  large  percent  of  the  stomach 
contents.  He  sums  up  the  results  of  an  examination  of  a 
series  of  stomachs  as  follows:   insects  25%;  snakes  (garter  snakes, 


REPTILES. 


109 


green  snake,  water  snake)  15%;  field  mice  22%;  bird  eggs  (robin) 
8%;  rabbits  4%;  voles  4%;  frogs  (green  frog,  wood  frog)  7%%; 
birds  4%;  mammals  miidentified  7%;  larvae  of  Royal  Moth  3%%. 
Atkinson  (1901,  147)  records  a  Aveasel  in  the  stomach  of  a  Pennsyl- 
vania specimen. 


Fig.  39.     Distribution  of  Bascanion  constrictor. 
Horizontal  ruling,  specimens  examined;  vertical  ruling,  reports  only. 

The  writer  has  never  been  able  to  induce  captive  specimens  of 
this  snake  to  eat  toads  or  frogs  but  that  they  prey  on  these  forms 
to  some  extent  is  proved  by  the  observations  of  Surface.  It  will 
probably  be  found,  however,  that  amphibians  form  a  very  minor 
part  of  the  food.  Also  as  regards  insects  it  is  doubtful  if  the  blue- 
racer  preys  on  any  of  these  directly  except    possibly    the    large 


110  HERPETOLOGY    OF    MICHIGAN. 

lepidopterous  larvae.  That  snakes  are  eaten  is  shown  by  the  obser- 
vations of  Cragin  (1878,  820-821),  Verrill  (1869,  158-159),  Cones 
(1878,  269),  Ditmars  (1907,  282),  Surface  (1906,  168),  and  Putnam 
(1868,  136)  ;  and  it  is  interesting  to  note  that  in  the  instance  ob- 
served by  Yerrill  it  was  a  copper-head  that  was  eaten,  while  the 
specimen  observed  by  Cones  killed  and  devoured  a  rattle-snake. 
This  suggests  that  the  species  is,  like  the  king-snake,  immune  to  the 
poison  of  these  venomous  serpents. 

Early  writers  supposed  that  this  snake  was  a  constrictor,  a  fact 
denied  by  some  later  writers.  The  truth  is  about  mid-way  between 
these  views.  In  capturing  small  prey  it  simply  seizes  the  animal  in 
the  mouth  as  do  garter  snakes,  or  at  most  after  seizing  the  prey 
partly  holds  it  by  covering  it  with  a  portion  of  its  body.  This 
is  exactly  the  same  as  does  the  king  snake  [Lampropeltis  getiilus), 
w^hich  is  commonly  said  to  be  a  constrictor.  It  is  true  of  both 
species  that  when  a  snake  is  captured  the  captor  winds  a  coil  or 
two  about  the  captive  and  thus  secures  it  until  swallowed.  When  a 
king  snake  captures  a  large  mammal  (e.  g.,  a  rat)  it  constricts  it 
until  dead,  and  it  is  possible  that  the  blue  racer  does  likewise. 

Range:  The  species  has  been  reported  from:  Michigan  (Sager, 
1839,  302;  Miles,  1861,  233),  Ann  Arbor  (Smith,  1879,  7),  Eaton 
County  (Clark,  1902,  193;  1903,  172,  173;  Whittaker,  1905,  100- 
102),  "Oceana  and  Muskegon  to  Arenac,  Saginaw  and  St.  Clair 
Counties  and  southward"  (Clark,- 1905,  110),  Grosse  Isle  (Cope, 
1900,  795,  797;  Baird  and  Girard,  1853,  93-94),  Walnut  Lake,  Oak- 
land County  (Hankinson,  1908,  236),  and  Cass  County  (Thompson, 
1911,  107).  We  have  examined  specimens  from  various  parts  of 
Washtenaw  County,  from  Walnut  Lake,  Oakland  County,  Alma, 
Gratiot  County,  Cass  County,  and  the  photographs  (PI.  X)  were 
made  near  Hamburg,  Livingston  County. 

LAMPROPELTIS  DOLIATUS  TKIANGULUS  (Boie). 

MILK    SNAKE. 

Coliiher  eximkis,  Sager,  1839,  302. 

Opliiholus  eximius,  Miles,  1861,  233. 

OjMholiis  triangulus,  Smith,  1879,  6. 

Osceola  doliata  triangula,  Clark,  1902,  194,  and  1904,  173. 

Lampropeltis  doliatus  triangulus,  Clark,  1905,  110.    Notestein,  1905, 

118-119.     Hankinson,  1908,  236.     Ruthven,  1911,  115,  1911a, 

267-268. 
Opluljolus  doliatus  triangulus,  Thompson,  1911,  107. 
Description:    A  medium  sized  snake,  attaining  a  length  of  about 


REPTILES.  Ill 

three  feet.  Body  of  nearly  the  same  diameter  from  the  head  to  the 
tail.  Head  relatively  small,  broad  and  flat,  as  compared  with  the 
usual  form  as  exhibited,  for  instance,  in  the  garter  snakes.  The 
sides  of  the  head  are  low  in  the  milk  snake  so  that  the  nasals,  loreal 
and  oculars  are  also  low,  and  the  whole  head  is  short,  and  the  eye 
small.  Cephalic  plates  normal  in  number  and  form.  Eostral  nor- 
mal. Temporals  usually  2  in  the  first  row.  A  single  loreal.  Nasals 
two,  the  nostril  between  them. 

Dorsal  scale  formula  usually  21-19-17:  scales  smooth  and  with 
two  pits.     Supralabials  7;  infralabials  usually  9,  occasionally  7  or 

* 

8.  Oculars  1-2.  Temporals  usually  2.  Ventrals  195-201;  subcau- 
dals  42-51.    Anal  plate  entire. 

Ground  color  brownish  ash  or  brownish  yellow.  Five  series  of 
dorsal  blotches  of  which  those  of  the  median  row  are  much  the 
largest,  broader  than  long  and  involve  twelve  to  fifteen  rows  across 
the  back.  They  are  chestnut  brown  (inclining  to  red  in  the  young) 
to  olive  brown  in  color,  and  bordered  with  black.  On  the  sides, 
involving  the  second  to  fifth  rows,  and  alternating  with  the  verte- 
bral series,  a  row  of  smaller  circular  brownish  spots,  and  below 
and  alternating  with  these  another  series  of  small  black  spots  that 
involves  the  edges  of  the  ventral  plates  and  the  first  one  to  three 
dorsal  scale  rows.  Belly  white  blotched  with  small  squares  of 
black.  Tail  crossed  by  half  rings  of  black.  A  dark  band  across 
the  posterior  half  of  the  prefrontals  another  from  the  eye  to  the 
corner  of  the  mouth.  On  the  nape  a  large  spot  of  the  ground  color 
usually  surrounded  bv  extensions  of  the  first  dorsal  blotch,  these 
extensions  uniting  again  on  the  parietals  in  a  blotch  that  includes 
a  V  or  heart-shaped  spot  of  the  ground  color;  but  there  are  many 
variations  from  this  arrangement. 

HaMts  and  Eahitat:  The  milk  snake  is  a  rather  common  snake 
in  southern  Michigan,  although  not  as  frequently  seen  as  some  of 
the  other  species.  Its  apparent  rarity  is  due  to  its  secretiveness. 
It  lives  principally  in  and  under  fallen  logs  in  the  woods,  but  is 
found  commonly  about  barns  and  outbuildings,  probably  in  search 
of  food.  The  name  is  a  misnomer  and  originated  in  the  popular 
idea  that  these  snakes  suck  cow^s  or  steal  milk  from  pans  in  the 
dairies.  It  is  hardlv  necessary  to  state  that  this  is  an  absolute 
fallacy.  The  food,  as  shown  bv  examinations  of  stomach  contents 
and  by  direct  observations,  is  as  follows :  slugs,  unidentifiable  in- 
vertebrates, red-bellied  snake  (Storeria  occipitomaculata) ,  DeKays 
snake  {Storeria  clekayi),  unidentifiable  bird,  robins  eggs,  unidenti- 
fied mammals,  jumping  mouse,  unidentifiable  mouse,  meadow  mouse. 
Microtis  sp?,   white  footed  mouse,   house  mouse    (Surface,   1906, 


112 


HERPETOLOGY    OF    MICHIGAN. 


179-180)  •;  ''Young  of  other  snakes,  besides  such  lizards  as  the  blue- 
tailed  and  the  swift,  Avhich  it  hunts  at  night  as  these  creatures 
take  refuge  in  the  crevices  of  bark  on  fallen  trees.  The  writer  dis- 
sected  a   specimen   that   had  been   killed   in   a   barn,   in   Sullivan 


''^ 


DOMlNIOr^i     CF    CANADA 


I  L  L  I  N  0   IS 


Fig.  40.     Distribution  of  Lampropeltis  doliatus  triangulus. 
Horizontal  ruling,  specimens  examined;  vertical  ruling,  reports  only. 

Countv,  N.  Y.     The  stomach  contained  five  very  voung  rats"   (Dit- 
mars,  1907,  344)  ;  Matrix  leheris  (Queen  snake)  and  mice  (Atkinson, 
1901,  150)  ;  mice  Arvlcola  rlparia,  (Cope,  1900.  886)  ;  garter  snake 
(Merriam,  1878)  ;  Eumeces  quinquilhieatus  L.     (Blue-tailed  skink) 
and  the  mouse  Peromyscus  'bairdii  (Kuthven,  1911a,  208). 

Range:    The  species  has  been  reported  from:  Michigan   (Sager, 


REPTILES.  113 

1839,  302;  Miles,  1861,  p.  233),  Auii  Arbor  (Smith,  1879,  i).  (3), 
Eaton  County  (Clark,  1902,  p.  194),  Ann  Arbor,  Kalamazoo  and 
Olivet,  and  Antrim,  Barry,  Montcalm,  Kent,  Ottawa  and  A^an  Buren 
Counties  (Clark,  1905,  p.  110),  Douglas  Lake,  Cheboygan  County 
(Kuthven,  1911,  115),  Oakland  County  (Hankinson,  1908,  p.  236), 
Stony  Island  and  the  sand  region  of  Huron  County  (Ruthven, 
1911a,  267-268),  Cass  County  (Thomi)son,  1911,  107).  The  writer 
has  examined  specimens  from  the  following  localities :  Ann  Arbor, 
Washtenaw  County;  Brighton,  Livingston  County;  Jackson,  Jack- 
son County;  l*ontiac  and  Walnut  Lake,  Oakland  (Jounty;  Shelby, 
Oceana  Count}';  Charity  Island,  Saginaw  Bay,  Stony  Island  and 
the  sand  region  of  Huron  County,  Douglas  Lake,  Cheboygan 
Countv,  Alma,  Gratiot  Countv,  Osceola  Countv,  Cass  Countv. 

THAMNOPHIS  SAUKITUS  (Linnaeus). 

RIBBOX    SNAKE. 

(PI.  VI.) 

Coluder  saurita,  Sager,  1839,  302. 

Eutaenia  saurltns,  Miles,  1861,  233.     Notestein,  1905,  114.     Smith, 

1879,6. 
Thamnotphh  saurita,  Clark,  1902,  194;  1905,  109.     Ruthven,  1906, 

112;  1908,  112-119;  1911a,  269. 
ThamnopJiis  faireiji,  Kirsch,  1895,  333. 

Description:  A  slender,  long-tailed  snake,  attaining  a  length  of 
two  to  two  and  one-half  feet.  Head  small,  distinct  from  neck, 
rather  high  on  the  sides,  slightly  concave  in  preocular  region. 
Cephalic  plates  normal;  two  nasals;  one  loreal.  Nostrils  lateral, 
between  nasals. 

Dorsal  scale  rows  19-17.  Supralabials  usually  7,  occasionally  6 
or  8;  infralabials  10,  occasionally  9  or  11.  Oculars  1-3,  occasion- 
ally 1-2 ;  temporals  1  in  the  first  row,  and  2  in  the  second.  Yentrals 
157-169;  subcaudals  87-112.    Anal  single. 

The  ground  color  above  is  usually  chocolate  brown,  varying  from 
light  olive-brown  to  black.  There  are  three  light  yellowish  stripes 
— a  dorsal  (cm  the  median  and  halves  of  adjacent  rows)  and  two 
laterals  (on  the  third  and  fourth  rows) — all  three  of  which  are 
usually  brightly  colored,  the  dorsal  generally  tinged  Avith  orange, 
the  laterals  with  green.  The  lateral  black  spots  generally  found  on 
the  skin  in  the  garter  snakes  are  seldom  distinct,  but  are  not  always 
entirely  fused.  The  ground  color  of  the  head  is  like  that  of  the 
dorsal  surface.  There  is  usually  a  small  pair  of  bright  yellow  spots 
15  • 


114 


HERPETOLOGY    OF    MICHIGAN. 


on  the  suture  of  the  parietals,  and  another  large  yellow  spot  on 
the  preoculars.  The  labials  are  generally  nearly  white  and  without 
black  markings.  The  belly  is  pale  greenish  and  yentral  spots  are 
usually  wanting. 


''^r 


DOMINION     OF    CANADA 


LINO    J   S 


*  H   I   C   A  C  O 


,  lAKE 

ERIE 


Fig.  41.     Distribution  of  Thamnophis  sauritus. 
Horizontal  ruling,  specimen.s  examined;  vertical  ruling,  reports  only. 

Habits  mid  HaMtat:  Kuthyen  (1908,  p.  112)  describes  the  habits 
of  this  form  as  follows :  ''Like  the  other  members  of  the  group, 
sauritus  seems  to  be  more  than  ordinarily  aquatic  in  its  habits,  but 
apparently  less  so  than  either  proximus  or  sackeni.  In  Michigan 
we  haye  generally  found  it  about  the  margin  of  ponds  and  streams 
in  damp  woods.     It  is  somewhat  of  a  climber,  and  is  occasionally 


REPTILES.  115 

found  in  bushes,  several  feet  from  the  ground.  When  pursued  it 
glides  through  the  pools  and  herbage  at  an  astonishing  rate,  and 
does  not  hesitate  to  take  to  water  and  conceal  itself  among  the 
water  plants,  but  it  generally  remains  near  the  surface,  and  we 
have  never  observed  it  dive  to  the  bottom  like  a  natricid  snake. 
There  are  numerous  short  notes  in  the  literature,  to  the  effect  that 
sauritus  prefers  damp  situations. 

"Ditmars  (1907,  217-219)  states  that  it  feeds  on  salamanders,  tad- 
poles, frogs,  and  fish,  but,  like  sackeni,  refuses  earthworms.  Two 
other  writers,  Atkinson  (1901,  151)  and  Surface  (190G,  142-143), 
record  insects  in  stomachs  examined.  The  latter  gives  the  following 
as  making  up  the  stomach  contents  of  Pennsylvania  specimens : 
Earthw^orms,  spiders,  insect  fragments,  ants,  Pletliodon  cinereus, 
Spelerpes  hilineatus,  Hyla  versicolor.  It  should  be  noted  that  the 
insects  may  have  been  contained  in  the  stomachs  of  the  frogs  and 
salamanders.  The  number  of  young  is  comparatively  small;  we 
have  counted  the  embryos  in  a  few  specimens,  and  they  seem  to 
average  about  a  dozen." 

Range:  The  eastern  ribbon  snake  is  not  very  common  in  Michi- 
gan, at  least  it  is  rarely  taken  by  collectors.  It  has  thus  far  only 
been  found  in  the  southern  peninsula.  The  specimen  from 
Roscommon  County,  listed  below,  is  the  most  northern 
record.  A  specimen  has  been  recorded  from  Isle  Royale  in  the 
museum  catalog  (Ruthven,  1906,  112),  but  this  record  is  very  doubt- 
ful and  has  not  been  indicated  on  the  map.  It  has  been  reported 
from:  Michigan  (Sager,  1839,  302;  Miles,  1861,  233),  Hudson, 
Lenawee  County  (Kirsch,  1895,  333),  Ann  Arbor  (Smith,  1879,  6), 
Eaton  County  (Clark,  1902,  194),  Ann  Arbor,  Olivet,  and  Barry, 
Kalamazoo,  Kent,  Montcalm,  Ottawa  and  Van  Buren  Counties 
(Clark,  1905,  109),  Roscommon,  Gratiot,  Eaton,  Washtenaw, 
Lapeer,  Ingham  Counties  (Ruthven,  1908,  112),  the  sand  region  of 
Huron  County  from  Sand  Point  to  Port  Austin  (Ruthven,  1911a, 
269).  Specimens  from  the  folloAving  localities  have  been  examined: 
various  parts  of  Washtenaw  County,  Pontiac  and  Walnut  Lake, 
Oakland  County,  Detroit,  Wayne  Count}^,  Alma,  Gratiot  County, 
Eaton  Count} ,  Lapeer  County,  and  Lansing,  Ingham  County. 


116  HERPETOLOGY    OF    MICHIGAN. 

THAMNOPHIS  BUTLERII  (Cope). 

BUTLER   GARTER    SNAKE. 

Eutainia  'bracluj stoma,  Clark,  1903a,  1904,  194. 
Eutaenia  'butler i,  Notestein,  114. 

Thamnopliis   lutleru   Clark,   1905,   109.     Rntliven,    1904,    289-299; 
1909a,  116;  1908,  87-9G;  1911a,  2G8-2G9.     Wliittaker,  1905. 

Description:  A  small  rather  thick-bodied  snake  attaining  a 
length  of  about  twelve  inches.  Head  small  and  usnally  not  very 
distinct  from  neck,  somewhat  elevated  behind,  and  sloping  qnickly 
down  to  the  point  of  the  snont.  Muzzle  short.  Sides  of  head 
moderately  high,  concave  in  preocular  region.  Eye  small.  Cephalic 
plates  normal;  two  nasals  and  one  loreal.  Nostril  lateral,  between 
the  nasals. 

Dorsal  scales  usuallv  19-17,  occasionally  17-19-17  or  17-19-17-15. 
Supralabials  6  or  7,  rarely  8,  average  between  6  and  7 ;  infralabials 
G,  1,  8,  9,  or  10,  average  between  8  and  9.  Temporals  1  in  first 
row  and  1  large  or  1  large  and  1  small  in  second  row.  Ventrals 
134-14G  (males),  132-140  (females),  subcaudals  Gl-GG  (males),  49-58 
(females).    Anal  plate  single. 

Ground  color  above  some  shade  of  dark  olive  brown,  with  three 
(a  dorsal  and  two  lateral)  bright  yellow  or  greenish  yellow  stripes. 
The  dorsal  stripe  is  usually  on  the  median  and  halves  of  the  ad- 
jacent rows,  and  .the  laterals  upon  the  third  and  more  or  less  of  the 
second  and  fourth  rows.  The  color  of  the  first  and  adjacent  half  of 
the  second  rows  of  scales  is  generally  not  lighter  than  the  ground 
color  above.  There  are  two  rows  of  black  spots  on  the  skin — en- 
croaching on  the  scales  along  the  stripes  in  specimens  light  enough 
to  show  them — but  these  often  lose  their  identity'  by  fusing  irregu- 
larly. Belly  pale  greenish,  the  only  markings  being  a  small  black 
spot  at  either  end  of  each  ventral  scute. 

Habits  and  Habitat:  The  following  account  of  the  habits  of  this 
snake  is  taken  from  the  monograph  of  the  genus  by  the 
writer  (Ruthven.  1908,  89-91)  ;  ''In  southern  Michigan  I  have  only 
taken  it  in  the  immediate  vicinity  of  water,  either  about  the  margin 
of  swampy  places  or  on  the  banks  of  streams.  This  may  be  a  coin- 
cidence, but  it  is  in  accord  Avith  all  of  the  specimens  collected 
throughout  the  range  which  have  habitat  data.  I  have  found  them 
most  frequently  by  overturning  boards,  etc.,  in  such  places,  al- 
though they  are  also  found  crawling  about  in  the  long  grass  and 
herbage. 

'"It  is  in  disposition  a  rather  sluggish  snake,  seldom  attempts  to 


REPTILES.  117 

defend  itself,  and  when  surprised  is  usually  easily  captured.  The 
ease  with  which  they  are  captured  is  in  part  due  to  their  inability 
to  escape,  owing  to  the  extreme  awkwardness  of  their  movements  on 
land.  When  moving  slowly  this  is  scarcely  noticeable,  but  Avhen 
they  attempt  to  move  rapidly  to  escape  capture  their  efforts  are 
peculiarly  odd  and  ineffective.  The  movements  consist  in  throwing 
the  body  in  long  curves  in  a  manner  closely  analogous  to  the  wig- 
gling motion  by  which  garter-snakes  swim  in  deep  Avater,  and  which 
results  in  much  movement  and  muscular  effort,  but  very  little  prog- 
ress. This  movement  may  be  greatlj^  augmented  by  putting  the 
snake  on  a  smooth  surface,  but  it  is  not  entire!}"  due  to  the  nature 
of  the  surface,  as  it  can  scarcely  make  any  headway'  on  a  surface 
where  sirtalis  will  glide  away  with  comparative  ease.  This  is  one 
of  the  most  striking  characteristics  of  hutleri  and  was  first  noticed 
by  Eeddick  (1895,  261),  who  comments  upon  it  in  the  following 
words :  'It  is  short  and  chubbv,  and  its  movement  is  verv  character- 
istic  of  it.  It  does  not  have  the  gliding  movement  of  E.  saurita  nor 
the  swift  and  active  movement  of  the  Xatrlx  slpedon,  but  seems 
rather  to  exert  a  large  amount  of  force  to  do  little  crawling.  The 
movement  is  so  characteristic  that  I  believe  anvone  having  once 
seen  the  peculiar  way  in  Avhicli  it  tries  to  hurry  itself  away  would 
ever  after  be  able  to  recognize  it  at  a  distance.' 

''Fortunately  no  doubt  attaches  to  the  species  w^hich  Mr.  Eeddick 
had,  for  tlie  specimen  upon  which  this  observation  was  based  has 
been  examined,  and  it  is  unquestionably  a  'butler L  The  movement 
seems  to  be  verv  similar  to  the  method  of  locomotion  described  for 
the  so-called  at  rata  specimens  of  ordlnoides  byDitmars  (1907,  227). 

''Observations  upon  the  food  habits  of  butler  I  are  but  f  ragmen  t- 
arv.  As  announced  in  1904,  it  is  fond  of  eartliworms  and  small 
frogs,  but  I  have  since  found  that  in  captivity  it  apparently  prefers 
small  fish.  As  a  rule  it  is  impossible  to  get  them  to  take  either 
worms  or  frogs  if  dead,  but  it  is  apparently  a  matter  of  unconcern 
to  them  whether  the  fish  be  alive  or  dead,  as  tliev  will  greedilv  eat 
specimens  of  the  latter  which  have  begun  to  decompose.  Young  in- 
dividuals four  or  five  davs  old  will  eat  as  manv  as  three  or  four 
small  minnows  successivelv. 

''Females  taken  in  July  are  usually  pregnant,  and  the  number  of 
young  is  apparently  small.  In  the  specimens  examined  the  number 
of  embryos  is  about  twelve  to  fifteen.  One  specimen  which  was 
taken  in  late  July,  1905,  and  kept  in  captivitj^  gave  birth  during 
the  first  part  of  August  to  ten  young.  The  members  of  this  brood 
were  not  all  born  on  the  same  date,  but  appeared  at  different  times 


118 


HERPETOLOGY    OF    MICHIGAN. 


between  August  7  and  20,  a  difference  of  thirteen  days.  This  is  an 
unusual  occurrence  among  the  garter-snakes,  and  is  undoubtedly 
abnormal,  for,  as  far  as  we  have  observed,  it  has  been  invariably 
the  rule  that  the  entire  brood  appeared  within  a  few  hours  at  most. 


Fig.  42.     Distribution  of  Thamnophis  butlerii. 
Horizontal  ruling,  specimens  examined;  vertical  ruling,  reports  only. 

We  have  seen  but  one  other  specimen  give  birth  to  young,  and  there 
were  four  in  this  brood.  The  3'oung  when  but  a  few  days  old  will 
struggle  eagerly  with  earthworms  or  minnows,  capturing  the  latter 
in  a  small  dish  of  water  or  taking  them  from  the  fingers.  For  the 
first  three  or  four  days  they  are  very  secretive  and  can  be  seen  only 
b}'  overturning  the  moss  and  stones  in  the  cage,  except  when  they 


REPTILES.  119 

come  out  to  feed.  They  have  not  been  observed  to  feed  during  the 
first  three  days,  but  after  this  they  will  come  out  freely  to  gorge 
themselves  on  fish,  returning  again  beneath  the  stones  when  satis- 
fied. One  of  these  young  snakes  was  kept  for  three  months,  in 
which  time  it  attained  to  the  respectable  length  of  150  mm." 

An  additional  observation  on  the  food-habits  was  made  in  1908, 
when  several  leeches  were  taken  from  the  stomach  of  a  specimen 
taken  under  a  stone  on  the  shore  of  Stony  Island,  Huron  County 
(Ruthven,  1911a,  268).  In  nature  the  form  probably  subsists 
largely  on  such  weak  food. 

Range:  Thamnophis  hiitlerii  is  rather  common  in  southern  Michi- 
gan as  far  north  as  the  tier  of  counties  represented  by  Eaton,  Oak- 
land and  Ingham.  A  few  specimens  taken  by  the  State  Biological 
Surve}  on  the  south  side  of  Saginaw  Bay  (Rush  Lake  and  Stony 
Island,  Huron  County)  in  1908  represent  the  most  northern  record, 
and  they  were  apparently  rare  in  that  region  (Ruthven  1909a,  116; 
1911a,  268).  It  has  been  reported  from  Olivet,  Eaton  County  (Clark, 
1903a,  83-88),  Brighton,  Livingston  County,  Washtenaw  County, 
Eaton  County  (Ruthven,  1904),  Pontiac,  Oakland  County  (Ruth- 
ven, 1908,  92),  and  Ann  Arbor  and  Chelsea,  Washtenaw  County 
(Clark,  1905,  109). 

THAMNOPHIS  SIKTALIS  (Linnaeus).* 

GARTER    SNAKE. 
(PI.   XII.) 

Coluber. sirtcdis,  Sager,  1839,  302. 

Thamnophis  sirtaUs,  Clark,  1905,  109 ;  1902,  194.    Kirsch,  1895,  333. 

Ruthven,  1909,  332-333;  1908,  176-186;  1911,  115;  1911a,  268. 

Hankinson,  1908,  236.     Thompson,  1911,  106. 
Eutaenia  sirtalis  sirtalis,   Xotestein,   1905,   115.     Ruthven,   1904a. 

189-191.     Cope,  1900,  1069-1074. 
TJiamnophis  sirtalis  sirtalis,  Ruthven,  1906,  31,  34,  36,  49,  50,  111. 

Sperry,  1903,  175-179. 
Eutaenia  sirtalis  ordinatus,  Notestein,  1905,  115. 
Eutaenia  sirtalis  parietalis,  Notestein,  1905,  115.     Smith,  1879,  6. 
Thamnophis  sirtalis  parietalis,  Ruthven,  1906,  49,  50,  53,  111-112. 

Clark,  1902,  194.     Sperry,  1903,  175-179. 


♦Although  recorded  from  the  state  the  western  subspecies  T.  s.  parietalis  does  not  occur 
within  our  limits.  Nevertheless  some  Isle  Royale  specimens  have  tne  interspaces  between 
lateral  spots  generally  suffused  with  red,  showing  a  strong  tendency  toward  the  western  variety 
(Cf.  Ruthven,  1906,  111-112.) 


120  HERPETOLOGY   OF    MICHIGAN. 

Description:  A  medimu  sized  snake  attainino'  a  length  of  one 
and  a  half  to  two  or  three  feet.  Head  generally  Avell  elevated  be- 
hind, elongate,  high  and  straight  on  sides,  concave  in  preocular 
region.  Cephalic  plates  normal.  Two  nasals  and  one  loreal;  nos- 
tril lateral  and  between  the  two  nasals. 

Dorsal  scales  19-17,  supralabials  7,  occasionally  8,  much  more 
rarely  6;  infralabials  10,  occasionally  8,  0  or  11.  A  single  preocnlar 
and  usually  3  postoculars.  A  single  anterior  temporal.  Ventral 
plates  141-108;  subcaudals  51-84.     Anal  plate  single. 

The  coloration  consists  of  three  light  stripes  on  a  darker  ground, 
the  lateral  stripes  on  the  second  and  third  rows,  the  dorsal  on  the 
median  and  halves  of  the  adjacent  rows.  The  first  row  of  scales 
much  lighter  than  the  ground  color  above,  usually  greenish  or 
yellowish,  at  least  the  upper  half.  The  color  between  the  stripes 
may  be  uniformly  black  or  broAvn,  or  olivaceous  with  two  rows  of 
alternating,  usually  poorly  defined,  black  spots.  Kegardless  of  the 
color  of  the  scales  between  the  stripes,  however,  there  may  nearly 
always  be  seen,  on  stretching  the  skin,  two  rows  of  prominent  black 
spots  separated  by  pale  interspaces.  Along  the  lateral  stripes  the 
interspaces  may  occasionally  be  red.  The  stripes  may  be  yellowish, 
greenish  or  bluish,  and  the  laterals  when  greenish  or  bluish  fre- 
quently blend  with  the  first  row.  The  dorsal  stripe  sometimes 
wanting.  The  ventral  surface  usually  pale  and  free  from  promi- 
nent markings,  except  for  a  black  spot  on  each  end  of  the  ventrals. 

Hahits  and  Hahitdt:  Ruthven  (1908,  177-179)  has  summarized 
the  habits  of  this  species  as  follows :  ''The  experience  of  the  writer 
indicates  that  it  is  quite  generally  distributed  in  the  Eastern  forest 
region,  for  Avhile  it  is  found  most  commonlv  in  the  vicinitv  of 
water,  it  is  not  uncommon  in  the  clearings,  woods,  and  thickets  on 
the  neighboring  hills. 

"The  food  consists  principally  of  frogs,  toads,  salamanders,  earth- 
worms, and  various  insects.  Whether  or  not  it  feeds  to  anv  great 
extent  upon  tadpoles  and  fish  is  undetermined.  Garman  (1892, 
268)  states  that  they  eat  these  animals,  and  I  have  observed  them  to 
"capture  fish  in  captivity,  but  since  in  the  wild  state  they  are  not 
particularly  aquatic,  the  truth  of  the  matter  is  probably  that  they 
capture  these  forms  when  they  encounter  them  in  small  pools,  but 
that  this  is  comparatively  seldom.  The  number  and  kinds  of  insects 
eaten  is  also  ji  (piestionable  point.  It  is  true  that  many  species  are 
found  in  the  stomachs  examined,  but,  as  Surface  (1906,  149)  says, 
many  of  these  are  'taken  inside  of  the  toads  and  other  batrachians 
which  the  garter-snake  had  eaten.'   However,  both  adults  and  young 


REPTILES.  121 

are  very  fond  of  earthworms.  As  other  garter-snakes,  sirtalis  ap- 
parently does  not  refuse  dead  food.  ^Ir.  N.  A.  Wood,  of  the  Uni- 
versity of  Michigan,  reported  to  the  writer,  on  ^lay  18,  1907,  that 
he  saw  a  specimen  of  this  species  swalh^wing  a  yeUow  warbler, 
which  he  had  observed  lying  dead  in  the  same  place  on  the  preced- 
ing'day.  In  the  latter  part  of  October,  1907,  the  writer  discovered 
an  individual  at  Portage  Lake,  Washtenaw  County,  Michigan, 
bnsily  engaged  in  an  attempt  to  swallow  the  dried  remains  of  a 
large  green  frog  (Ekt)ia  cUnnitans). 

''The  breeding  habits  have  been  commented  upon  several  times,  . 
but  are  as  yet  only  incompletely  known.  In  southern  Michigan 
copulation  takes  place  in  April,  and  at  this  time  it  is  reported  on 
good  authority  that  these  snakes  often  collect  in  groups,  probably 
owing  to  the  procreative  impulse.  I  have  not  witnessed  this  nor 
can  I  find  any  observations  on  the  act  of  copulation.  The  latter  I 
have  seen  but  once,  and  then  but  imperfectly.  It  took  place,  on 
April  21,  190C,  between  two  specimens  in  captivity.  The  male  in 
this  case  lav  at  full  length  beside  the  female,  and  evidentlv  at- 
tempted  to  excite  her  by  gently  rubbing  her  neck  with  his  snout. 
He  finally  threw  a  fold  of  his  tail  across  hers,  and  turning  his  ven- 
tral surface  against  her  side  began  spasmodic  contractions  of  the 
abdominal  muscles,  which  were  continued  from  twenty  to  thirty 
minutes.  Unfortunatelv  the  snakes  were  then  disturbed  and  the 
observations  ceased.  They  indicate,  however,  that  there  may  be 
some  interesting  courtship  reactions  to  be  observed  in  these  snakes. 

"The  period  of  parturition  extends  from  the  latter  part  of  July 
to  about  the  middle  of  September.  Both  of  these  dates  are  only 
approximate,  as  definite  observations  are  wanting.  The  number  of 
young  is  very  variable,  the  average  range  in  number  being  prob- 
ably about  10-30,  while  as  many  as  78  have  been  recorded  in  a 
single  brood,  which  is  not  at  all  an  unusual  number,  since  parietalis 
may  have,  according  to  our  observations,  as  many  as  73.  After 
birth  the  young  remain  for  a  short  time  about  the  mother,  but 
this  time  is  probably  limited  to  a  few  hours  at  most.  In  captivity 
there  is  little  tendency  discernable  to  stay  near  the  mother,  and  al- 
though  we  have  several  times  seen  a  mother  and  her  brood  in  a 
wild  state,  in  every  case  noted,  when  the  mother  became  alarmed, 
or  for  some  other  reason  moved  away,  the  young  scattered  in  all 
directions,  and  it  is  improbable  that  they  ever  came  together  again. 
The  quickness  and  comi)leteness  with  wliicli  the  little  snakes  dis- 
appear when  alarmed  may  partly  exi)lain  the  fable  that  this  snake 
swallows  its  voung. 


122  HERPETOLOGY    OF    MICHIGAN. 

"Ditmars  (1907,  235-23G)  gives  the  following  interesting  account 
of  the  hibernating  habits :  • 

^The  favorite  situations  in  which  to  pass  the  cold  months  are  in 
soft  soil  on  a  slope  that  faces  the  south.  Here  the  reptiles  burrow 
down  a  yard  or  more.  Rock}'  situations  are  often  selected,  and 
among  the  clefts  and  fissures,  one  opening  into  another,  the  snakes 
are  enabled  to  retire  to  a  considerable  depth  from  the  surface. 

^It  is  in  the  fall  that  these  snakes  congregate  in  large  numbers  on 
ground  that  is  suitable  for  the  winter's  sleep.  Here  they  sun  them- 
selves during  the  middle  of  the  da}',  retiring  into  clefts  and  burrows 
during  chilly  autumn  nights.  As  the  nights  become  colder,  their 
basking  periods  during  the  day  are  shortened,  and  finally,  after 
the  first  severe  frost,  they  remain  below  the  ground  for  the  winter. 
Instinct  seemingly  attracts  them  to  these  places  of  hibernation,  for 
such  spots  are  usually  poor  feeding  grounds  and  have  been  devoid 
of  snakes  during  the  summer  months.  In  spring,  the  breeding  time, 
the  reptiles  remain  in  numbers  until  the  weather  has  become  well 
settled  and  the  danger  of  needing  good  shelter  from  the  cold  spells 
has  passed.  Then  they  scatter  into  the  ravines,  the  thickets,  along 
streams  and  brooks,  until  the  scene  that  has  abounded  with  sinuous, 
craw'ling  life  is  deserted.' 

^^This  account  harmonizes  verv  w'ell  with  the  writer's  observa- 
tions  in  southern  Michigan.  In  the  latter  region  they  are  found 
in  the  autumn  on  sunny  hillsides  in  the  immediate  neighborhood 
of  holes,  into  which  they  hasten  when  alarmed,  but  that  they  dig 
these  holes  themselves  yet  remains  to  be  proven,  nor  after  the  be- 
ginning of  the  period  of  hibernation  do  they  necessarily  'remain 
below  the  ground  for  the  winter,'  for  if  periods  of  marked  modera- 
tion in  the  temperature  occur  they  will  come  out  in  December. 
Januar}',  or  February.  Thus,  on  January  22,  1906,  which  was  a 
w^arm  day  (60°  F.)  in  a  period  of  very  moderate  temperature,  a 
collector  for  the  University  of  Michigan  Museum  reported  seeing 
a  large  garter-snake  near  Grass  Lake,  Washtenaw^  County,  Michi- 
gan, which  was  undoubtedly  this  species." 

Range:  The  species  has  been  reported  from:  Michigan  (Sager, 
1839,  302;  Miles,  1861,  233),  Ann  Arbor  (Smith,  1879,  6),  Hudson 
and  Manitou  Beach,  Lenawee  County  (Kirsch,  1895,  333),  Grosse 
Isle  and  Port  Huron  (Cope,  1900,  1073),  Eaton  County  (Clark, 
1902,  194),  Porcupine  Mountains,  Ontonagon  County  (Ruthven, 
1904,  189,  191),  Ann  Arbor,  Olivet,  and  Antrim,  Barry,  Kalamazoo, 
Kent,  Mackinac,  Montcalm,  Ottawa  and  Van  Buren  Counties 
(Clark,  1905,  109),  Bessemer,  Gogebic  County,  Isle  Royale,  Kewee- 


REPTILES. 


123 


naw  Count}',  Limestone  Momitain,  Baraga  Comity,  Marquette, 
Marquette  County,  Porcupine  Mountains,  Ontonagon  County 
(Ruthven,  1906,  111-112),  Washtenaw  County,  Kent  County,  Grosse 
Isle,  Wayne  County,  Livingston  County,  Eaton  County,  Oakland 


^■C 


11 


2^^ 


LAKE       SUPERIOR 


W,^^^^  D  0  Ml  N  f  0  fv     OF    CANADA 


I  L  L  !  N   0    I   S      \ 


c  K  I  c  A  c  e 


Fig.  43.     Distribution  of  Thamnophis  sirtalis. 
Horizontal  ruling,  specimens  examined;  vertical  ruling,  reports  only. 

County,  Oceana  County,  Crawford  County,  Iosco  County,  Gratiot 
County,  Isle  Royale,  Lake  Superior,  Ontonagon  County,  Gogebic 
County,  Houghton  County,  Baraga  County,  Marquette  County 
(Ruthven,  1908,  181),  Walnut  Lake,  Oakland  County  (Hankinson, 
1908,  236),  sand  region  of  Huron  County  (Ruthven,  1911a,  268), 
Douglas  Lake,  Cheboygan  County   (Ruthven,  1911,  115),  and  Cass 


124  HERPETOLOGY    OF    MICHIGAN. 

County  (Thompson,  1911,  6).  Specimens  from  the  following  locali- 
ties have  been  examined:  Alma,  Gratiot  County,  Washtenaw 
County,  An  Sable  River,  Crawford  County,  south  branch  of  Au 
Sable  River,  Iosco  County,  Bessemer,  Gogebic  County,  Walnut 
Lake,  Pontiac  and  Birmingham,  Oakland  County,  Brighton,  Iosco, 
Livingston  County,  Denton,  Wayne  County,  Isle  Royale,  Keweenaw 
County,  Limestone  Mountain,  Baraga  County,  Marquette,  Mar- 
quette County,  Porcupine  Mountains,  Ontonagon  County,  Shelby, 
Oceana  County,  Winona,  Houghton  County,  Eaton  County,  Kent 
County,  Grosse  Isle,  Wayne  County,  Douglas  Lake,  Cheboygan 
County,  Brown  Lake,  Dickinson  County,  Charity  Island,  Saginaw 
Bay,  sand  region  from  Sand  Point  to  Port  Austin,  Huron  County, 
Cass  County,  Osceola  County,  and  Dr.  A.  S.  Pearse  observed  speci- 
mens in  St.  Joseph  County  in  the  spring  of  1909. 

SISTKUKUS  CATENATUS  (Rafinesque). 

RATTLESNAKE^    MASSAUGER. 

(PI.  XI  b.) 

Crotalus  tergiminiis,  Sager,  1839,  302. 

Caudisona  tercjiminci,  Gibbs,  1900,  12-13, 

>^lstrurus  catemitus,  Clark,  1902,  191,  1905,  110.     Stejneger,  1893, 

413.     Ruthven,  1911a,  270-271.     Thompson,  1911,  107. 
^istrurus  catenatus  catenatus,  Xotestein,   1905,  120.     Cope,  1900, 

1146-1149. 
Crotalophorus  tergeminus,  Baird  and  Girard,  1853,  14-15.     Smith, 

1879,  G. 
Crotalophorus  I'irtlandi,  Holbrook,  1842,  III,  32. 
Crotalophorus  tergemlnus  Idrtlamll,  Smith,  1879,  6.     Miles,  18C1, 

233. 

Description:  A  short  thick-bodied  snake  attaining  a  length  of 
two  and  one-half  or  three  feet.  Head  broad  and  decidedly  trianou- 
lar  in  shape,  being  much  swollen  through  the  back  part,  and  termi- 
nating in  a  blunt  snout.  Generally  a  slight  concavity  in  the  frontal 
region.  Cephalic  plates  normal  in  arrangement,  but  parietal 
plates  small,  which  together  with  the  broad  head  and  a  rather  well 
defined  canthus  rostralis  makes  the  area  covered  by  the  cephalic 
plates  broadly  oval  in  outline.  Sides  of  head  high  and  without  or 
witli  onh'  a  slight  concavity  in  the  loreal  region.  Eye  small,  situ- 
ated high  up  on  head,  with  an  elli])tical  pupil,  and  over-hung  by  the 
supraoculars.  A  deep  pit  in  the  loreal  region.  Temporal  region 
occupied  by  four  or  five  rows  of  smooth  scales.  Tail  terminating 
in  a  rattle. 


REPTILES.  125 

Dorsal  scale  rows  usually  25-28-21-19,  fmiuently  23-21-(19). 
Siipralabials  11-13  in  number,  separated  from  the  orbit  by  a  row 
of  small  scales  that  is  continuous  with  the  postoculars;  infrala- 
bials  usually  about  11  to  14.  Two  preoculars,  elongated  anteriorly, 
the  upper  meeting  the  posterior  nasal  scute,  Loreal  small  and 
trapezoidal  in  form,  Ventrals  lo4-14T;  subcaudals  22-30,  undivided. 
Anal  plate  single. 

Ground  color  above  grayish  or  ash,  relieved  by  several  series  of 
deep  brown  blotches  that  form  cross  bands  on  the  tail.  Spots  of 
the  dorsal  series  large,  and  transversely  and  irregularly  oblong  in 
form.  Below  and  alternating  Avith  the  vertebral  row  a  row  of 
small  rounded  spots,  and  below  these  a  series  of  large  blotches 
transversely  oblong  and  extending  to  the  second  row  of  scales,  and 
alternating  with  these  another  series  of  small  spots  on  the  first 
and  second  scale  rows.  Spots  of  all  of  the  series,  with  the  excep- 
tion of  the  row  of  small  rounded  blotches  exterior  to  the  vertebral 
series,  margined  with  an  inner  black  and  an  outer  pale  yellow  line. 
Dorsal  blotches  occasionally  divided  or  fused  with  the  upper  row 
of  lateral  spots,  A  pair  of  elongated  spots  similar  to  the  other 
dorsal  spots  in  color  extend  from  the  cephalic  plates  to  the  neck, 
and  another  on  either  side  extends  backward  from  the  orbit.  In- 
ferior yellow  margin  of  the  latter  well  developed  between  the  eye 
and  the  angle  of  the  mouth  forming  a  narrow  yellow  band.  Two 
diverging  yellow  lines  from  the  pit  to  the  lip.  Head  dark  brown, 
as  the  dorsal  blotches,  but  with  a  light  brownish  band  between  the 
eyes  and  occasionally  light  marks  on  the  posterior  head  ])lates. 
Color  underneath  black  irregularly  broken  up  with  pale  yellow. 

Hal)its  and  Hahltat:  The  rattle  snake,  or  massauger,  as  it  is 
generally  known,  is  the  only  poisonous  snake  in  Michigan ;  a  state- 
ment which  when  generally  known  should  stop  the  wholesale  de- 
struction of  the  harmless  snakes  practiced  by  most  i)ersons  who 
come  in  contact  with  them.  Needless  to  sav  this  snake  should  be 
avoided  as  it  is  distinctly  venomous,  but  on  the  other  hand  most  of 
the  current  stories  about  it  must  be  discredited  for  it  is  doubtful 
if  its  bite  is  sufficiently  noxious  to  kill  a  healthv  adult.  It  is  a 
sluggish  snake,  slow  to  bite,  and  usually  gives  warning  with  its 
rattle  before  striking.    It  is  thus  little  to  be  feared. 

It  prefers  the  vicinity  of  swamps,  although  not  aquatic  in  its 
habits,  and  is  becoming  yearly  more  rare  in  this  region.  Its  ex- 
tinction  is  probably  due  to  several  causes  chief  of  which  is  the 
draining  of  swamps  and  the  killing  of  great  numbers  by  farmers. 
An  excellent  general  account  of  the  habits  of  the  species  is  given 
by  Hay  (1887). 


126  HERPETOLOGY    OF    MICHIGAN. 

Very  few  observations  have  been  made  on  the  food  habits  of  this 
snake.  Taylor  (1892,  357)  writes  on  the  snbject  as  follow^s:  "The 
contents  of  the  stomachs  of  this  species  shows  that  its  food  is  al- 
most wholly  made  up  of  mice  and  animals  of  that  class.  Aside  from 
well  known  venomous  qualities  this  snake  has  no  bad  habits  and  is 
decidedlv  useful.  It  is  said  that  rats  and  mice  will  very  soon  dis- 
appear  w^hen  the  presence  of  this  reptile  is  known.  In  at  least  one 
instance  we  have  known  this  statement  to  be  true.  It  was  noticed 
that  rats  which  a  few  days  previous  had  been  extremely  numerous 
in  a  certain  cellar  had  wholly  disappeared.  AVithin  a  few  days 
more  the  mvsterv  was  solved  by  findino-  a  huffe  rattler  in  the  door- 
way.  These  facts  fully  account  for  the  frequent  finding  of  rattlers 
around  old  cellars,  buildings,  etc.,  where  thej'  go  to  hunt  for  their 
choice  food."  Ditmars  (1907,  438)  states  that  his  captive  specimens 
"would  take  young  birds,  mice  and  frogs,  and,  like  the  copperhead 
snake,  different  kinds  of  food  according  to  the  seasons,  a  trait  prob- 
ably developed  by  necessity  while  in  the  Avild  state." 

Our  observations  on  the  food  habits  of  the  species  differ  from 
those  of  Taylor  in  that  frogs  form  the  bulk  of  the  stomach  contents 
in  the  specimens  we  have  examined.  We  have  also  found  in  two 
instances  snakes  (one  a  rattlesnake)  in  stomachs  examined,  and  in 
one  case  it  was  evident  that  the  snake  eaten  had  been  dead  for  a 
considerable  time  before  it  was  eaten    (Ruthven,  1911a,  270). 

The  young  are  brought  into  the  world  alive,  i.  e.,  the  eggs  are  not 
laid.  There  are,  according  to  Hay,  usually  about  six  young  in  a 
brood,  and  they  are  about  six  inches  long. 

Many  erroneous  opinions  are  current  concerning  this  snake. 
Among  these  are  that  the  number  of  rattles  indicates  the  age  of  an 
individual,  one  rattle  being  added  each  year.  The  researches  on 
the  growth  of  the  rattle  all  agree  that  each  ring  represents  the 
epidermis  shed  from  the  enlarged  portion  of  the  tail,  in  a  manner 
analogous  to  the  general  shedding  of  the  skin,  the  new  ring  being 
added  at  the  base  each  time,  thus  pushing  the  string  outward. 
There  is  some  disagreement  among  observers  as  to  whether  or  not 
the  two  processes  always  take  place  at  the  same  time,  but  the  fact 
is  well  established  that  the  shedding  of  the  epidermis  from  the 
terminal  enlargement  of  the  tail  and  the  consequent  formation  of 
rattles,  like  the  general  shedding  of  the  epidermis,  takes  place  every 
few  (two-five)  months,  so  that  several  rattles  are  usually  added 
each  year.  The  reason  that  so  few  rings  are  generally  present  at 
one  time  is  that  the  terminal  ones  are  easily  and  frequently  lost. 
The  number  of  buttons  even  on  the  largest  individuals  is  rarely 


REPTILES. 


127 


more  than  eight  or  nine,  and  the  long  strings  occasionally  exhibited 
as  curiosities  are  in  most  instances  formed  bj'  the  joining  together 
of  several  strings. 
Another  popular  fallacy  regarding  these  snakes  is  that  the  ex- 


Vk^  DOMINION     OF    CANADA 


ILLINOIS      li 


L 


T£«.t»o  ERIE 


Fig.  44.     Distribution  of  Sistrurus  catenatus. 
*^    Horizontal  ruling,  specimens  examined;  vertical  ruling,  reports  only. 

traction  of  the  fangs  renders  them  harmless.  It  is  true  that  it  does 
so  for  a  time,  but,  as  is  well  known  to  scientists,  new  fangs  soon 
replace  the  old  ones  when  the  latter  are  broken  off  or  shed.  This 
is  in  fact  a  wise  provision  of  nature,  since  the  long  fangs  are  occa- 
sionallv  broken  off  bv  the  strugofles  of  the  prev. 

The  writer  will  not  take  space  to  describe  further  the  character- 


128  HERPETOLOGY    OF    MICHIGAN. 

istics  of  this  suake.  A  most  excellent  account  may  be  found  in 
Stejneger's  "The  Poisonous  Snakes  of  Xorth  America"  (1893, 
413). 

Range:  The  species  has  been  reported  from:  Michigan  (Sager, 
1839,  302;  Holbrook,  1842,  III,  32;  Miles,  1801,  233;  Stejneger.  1893, 
413,  Grosse  Isle  (Baird  and  Girard,  1853,  14,  15),  Ann  Arbor 
(Smith,  1879,  6),  Xew  Buffalo,  Berrien  County  (Cope,  1900.  1149), 
Eaton  County  (Clark,  1902,  194),  Benzonia  to  Au  Sable  River 
(Clark,  1905,  110),  Cass  County  (Thompson,  1911,  107 j,  and  Huron 
County  (Ruthven,  1911a,  270-271).  We  have  seen  specimens  from 
Alma,  Gratiot  County,  Au  Sable  River,  Oscoda  County,  Pontiac, 
Oakland  County,  various  localities  in  WashtenaAv  County,  Charity 
Island,  Sagina\v  Bay,  Cass  County,  Stony  Island.  North  Island  and 
Sand  I*oint,  Huron  County. 

ORDER  TESTUDINATA.       ( TURTLES )  . 

As  indicated  by  the  ke^^  (p.  77)  the  members  of  this  order  are 
quadrupedal,  cuirassed  forms  with  a  rounded  or  longitudinal  anal 
opening.  The  shell  in  our  species  is,  with  the  single  exception  of 
the  soft-shelled  turtle,  covered  with  large  dermal  plates.  Sieben- 
rock  (1909)  divides  the  order  into  four  superfamilies  only  two  of 
Avhicli  have  representatives  in  Michigan.  It  is  sufficient  for  our 
purposes  to  diagnose  the  genera  and  species. 

Key  to  the  Genera  and  Species  of  MU-higaii  Turtles. 

a^     Carapace  covered  by  leathery  skin,  and  Avithout  horny  epider- 
mal plates   Plat  ij  pelt  is  spinlfera,  p.  129. 

a-.     Carapace  rigid  and  covered  with  horny  epidermal  plates. 

b^.     Plastron  narrow,  not  nearly  filling  the  opening  of  the  cara- 
pace, 
e^.     Bridge   long   and   narrow.     Tail    long   and   furnished 
above  with  a  median  row  of  large  horny  tubercles. 
Marginal  scutes  '2'^.  .  .  Xliehjdra  serpentina,  p.  133. 
C".     Bridge  short  and  rather  wide.     Tail  in  males  with  a 
terminal  nail,  and  without  a  median  dorsal  row  of 

tubercles.     Marginal  scutes  23 

Kinosternon   odoratuni,  p.   137. 

b-.     Plastron  nearl}-  or  quite  filling  the  opening  of  the  cara 
I^ace.    Marginal  plates  25. 
e^.     Parts  of  plastron  immovably  attached  to  each  other 
and  to  the  carapace, 
d^     Carapace  smoothly  rounded,  i.  e.,  with  no  median 
dorsal  keel. 


REPTILES.  129 

e^.     A  sharp  tooth  on  either  side  of  the  notcli  at 

the  syiiiphvsis  of*  the  upper  jaws.  Carapace 

without      round,      bright      orange      spots, 

Chrysemys. 

f^     Vertebral    and    costal    scutes    unicolored 

except  for  a   Yelh)W  margin.     A  rela- 

tiveh'  small  plastral  blotch  along  the 

median  line C.  cinerea,  p.  141. 

f^.  Vertebral  and  costal  scutes  marked  with 
irregular  pale-yellow  lines.  A  large 
blotch  covering  most  of  the  plast- 
ron     C.   'belliiy  p.   113. 

e-.  Xo  teeth  bounding  the  notch  at  the  anterior 
end  of  the  upper  jaws.  Carapace  marked 
with  numerous,  round,  bright  orange  spots. 

Clemmys  guttata,  p.   147. 

d'.     Carapace  with  a  strong  median  keel 

Graptemys  geographica,   p.   150. 

C".     Plastron   with   a   transverse   hinge,   and   movablv   at- 
tached to  the  carapace, 
d^.     Upper  jaw  notched  in  front.     Carapace  long  and 

depressed Emydoidea  'blandingii,  p.  153. 

d-.  Upper  jaw  produced  downward  at  the  symphysis 
to  form  a  hook.  Carapace  short  and  high .... 
Terrapene  Carolina,  p.   155. 

PLATYPELTIS  SPINIFEKA  (LeSueur). 

SOFT-SHELLED  TURTLE. 
(Pis.   VII,  XI  a) 

Aspidonectes  sjrinifer.  Smith,  1S70,  7.     Clark,  1902,  103;  1005,  110. 

Miles,  1861,  233.    Agassiz,  1857,  404-405. 
Trionyx  spin  if  ems,  Thompson,  1911,  107. 

Description :  Body  broad  and  very  fiat.  Carapace  and  plastron 
not  covered  with  epidermal  pUites,  but  by  a  soft  and  leathery  skin, 
the  margins  of  the  carapace  bending  freely  at  the  edges.  Head 
tapering  to  the  snout  which  is  much  ])roduced  and  flexible.  Nos- 
trils separated  by  a  septum,  and  each  willi  a  ]>ai>illa  projecting  into 
it  from  the  septum.  A  Ioav  obtuse  keel  along  the  middle  of  the 
back.  A  series  of  spines  along  the  anterior  edge  of  the  carapace, 
in  the  adults;  the  entire  upper  surface  of  the  carapace  covered 
with  small  tubercles.  Feet  broad  and  fully  Avebbed. 
17 


130  HERPETOLOGY    OF    MICHIGAN. 

Color  of  carapace  o-live  or  light  brown,  the  margin  yellow.  Near 
the  margin  is  a  narrow,  broken  line  of  black.  In  young  specimens 
there  are  on  the  carapace  numerous  spots  somewhat  darker  than 
the  ground  color  and  each  surrounded  by  a  broad,  black  ring.  These 
spots  become  smaller  and  entirely  black  toward  the  margin  of  the 
carapace,  and  are  obscure  in  old  individuals.  Plastron  immaculate 
white  or  pale  yellow.  Limbs  olive  spotted  with  black.  A  pair  of 
black  lines  on  the  snout,  each  of  which  at  the  base  of  the  latter  be- 
come two  diverging  black  lines  separated  by  yellow,  and  pass 
through  the  eye  onto  the  neck. 

Hahits  and  Habitat:  In  southern  Michigan  the  soft-shelled  turtle 
occurs  rather  commonly  in  the  rivers  and  lakes  Avhich  have  a  soft 
muddv  bottom.  Thev  are  not  commonlv  seen,  as  thev  seldom  leave 
the  Avater,  and  owing  to  the  fact  that  the  color  of  the  carapace 
harmonizes  well  with  the  color  of  the  bottom.  When  surpised,  they 
are  rapid  swimmers  and  easily  elude  capture.  The  larger  individ- 
uals should  be  handled  with  care  as  the  lip-like  folds  of  skin  cover 
sharp-edged  mandibles  that  are  capable  of  inflicting  considerable 
injury. 

Newman's  (1906,  126  et  seq.)  observations  on  the  habits  of  the 
soft-shelled  turtle  at  Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Indiana,  are  the  most  com- 
prehensive that  have  been  made  and  are  largeh^  the  basis  of  the 
following  very  brief  account. 

They  appear  early  in  April  (or  in  the  latter  part  of  March), 
from  their  hibernation,  and  soon  begin  to  feed  actively.  In  food 
habits  it  "is  voracious  and  carnivorous,  feeding  principally  upon 
crayfish  and  the  larvae  of  large  insects.  From  the  vantage  ground 
of  a  high  bank  it  was  possible  on  still  days  to  observe  individuals 
as  they  captured  their  prey.  They  crawl  or  swim  along  the  bottom, 
thrusting  their  snout  under  stones  and  into  masses  of  aquatic  vege- 
tation, occasionally  snapping  up  a  crayfish  or  larvae  that  they  have 
succeeded  in  dislodging.  They  do  not  tear  up  their  food,  but  swal- 
low it  whole,  using  the  fore-feet  to  assist  in  forcing  it  down. 

"The  stomachs  of  three  specimens,  opened  during  the  latter  part 
of  June,  contained  the  following: 

1.  A  large  female  contained  nine  medium  sized  crawfish,  only 
slightly  digested. 

2.  A  medium  sized  female  contained  four  crayfish  and  twenty- 
two  dragon-fly  larvae. 

3.  A  large  male  contained  nine  dragon-fly  larvae  and  a  few  plant 
buds,  probably  taken  by  accident  when  snapping  up  larvae." 

Surface  (1908,  123)   has  recorded  the  following  observations  on 


REPTILES.  131 

the  food  liabits :  "Unfortunately,  only  two  of  tlie  Soft-slielled 
Turtles  available  for  examination  contained  food,  although  a  greater 
number  were  examined  and  found  to  be  empt}^  Of  these  neither 
had  eaten  any  vegetable  matter,  but  both  contained  Crayfish, 
which  are  common  inhabitants  of  streams  they  frequent,  and  are 
doubtless  among  the  chief  elements  of  their  food.  In  devouring 
Crayfish  (or  Crawfish),  any  creature  is  objectionable  from  the  fact 
that  it  is  one  of  the  most  important  foods  of  the  carnivorous  fishes. 
Hay  asserts  that  'it  feeds  on  such  fishes  and  reptiles  as  it  can 
secure.' 

"One  Soft-shelled  Turtle  was  found  to  contain  fragments  of 
beetles  so  broken  as  to  be  beyond  recognition,  but  indicating  the 
possibility  of  these  creatures  feeding  upon  insects  which  may  be 
found  floating  on  the  water  or  in  damp  places  frequented  by  such 
turtles. 

"We  take  this  opportunity  to  record  the  fact  that  we  have  found 
the  Soft-shelled  Turtle  feeding  upon  grains  of  corn  obtained  in  or 
near  the  ponds  which  they  inhabit.  A  specimen  examined  by  us 
in  Ohio  some  years  ago  contained  both  yellow  and  red  field  corn, 
or  Indian  corn,  to  the  extent  of  almost  as  much  corn  as  would  be 
produced  upon  two  average  ears  of  this  plant." 

Mating  must  take  place  during  April  or  May  (Newman)  and  the 
nesting  period  extends  from  about  the  middle  of  June  to  the  middle 
of  July.  Newman  states  that  "The  character  of  the  soil  seems  to 
be  immaterial  so  long  as  it  is  near  the  water's  edge.  Nests  were 
found  in  clay  so  hard  packed  that  one  could  scarcely  break  it  with 
the  fingers.  One  nest  was  made  in  a  rock  pile,  the  eggs  being 
dropped  into  crevices  between  the  rocks,  and  sand  packed  around 
them.  Several  nests  were  made  among  the  smaller  roots  of  a  tree 
growing  on  the  sandy  beach,  the  eggs  being  deposited  between  and 
under  the  roots  in  a  very  irregular  fashion.  The  majority  of  nests, 
however,  were  found  in  the  soft  beach  sand  over  six  feet  from  the 
water." 

The  same  writer  briefly  describes  the  nest  building  as  follows : 
"A  warm  sunshiny  day.  Place:  the  'old  road'  about  ten  feet  from 
the  water's  edge  and  concealed  from  view  on  one  side  by  tall  grass. 
A  large  female  Aspidonectes  has  just  escaped  from  the  grass  and 
is  commencing  to  make  a  nest.  No  time  is  lost  in  selecting  a  spot. 
She  scratches  out  footholds  for  the  forefeet  and  begins  to  excavate 
with  the  hindfeet,  using  right  and  left  alternately  with  a  circular 
gouging  movement.  As  the  hole  becomes  deeper  it  is  generally 
necessary  for  her  to  give  a  more  nearly  perpendicular  thrust  with 
the  hindfeet. 


132 


HERPETOLOGY    OF    MICHIGAN. 


^'In  less  than  forty  minutes  the  nest  is  completed  and  she  has 
commenced  to  lay  her  eggs,  letting  the  tail  dgwn  into  the  narrow 
hole  as  far  as  possible.  After  depositing  several  eggs  she  arranges 
them  with  the  hindfeet  and  then  rakes  in  some  earth  previously  wet 


\N.      DOMINION     OF    CANADA 


I  L  L  1  N   0    I 


W      I      O  .t^Cj^LtPO 


Fig.  45.     Distribution  of  Platypeltis  spinifera. 
Horizontal  ruling,  specimens  examined;  vertical  ruling,  reports  only. 

up  with  water  from  the  accessory  bladders.  The  earth  is  gently 
packed  in  before  any  more  eggs  are  laid.  The  remainder  of  the 
eggs  are  deposited  and  the  hole  is  filled  up  with  earth  and  tramped 
doTvn  quite  firmly  with  the  knuckles  of  the  hind  feet,  right  and 
left  feet  being  used  alternately.  This  treading  movement 
continues  for  some  minutes  and  seems  to  be  quite  thorough.     Al- 


REPTILES.  133 

though  not  in  any  way  disturbed,  the  tortoise  left  without  attempt- 
ing to  cover  up  the  traces  of  scratching  feet,  and  anyone  who  is 
familiar  with  the  appearance  of  a  tortoise  nest  would  have  no  diffi- 
culty in  detecting  this  one.  At  12:2o  she  turned  and  started  for 
the  water  but  was  captured  with  a  landing  net.  The  nest  was  ex- 
amined and  found  to  be  flask-shai)ed  with  a  narrow  neck  only  an 
inch  and  a  half  in  diameter.  The  depth  of  the  nest  was  a  trifle 
over  six  inches  and  the  dii>meter  at  the  bottom  about  three  inches. 
The  nest  contained  eighte^in  rather  large  spherical  eggs  of  a  deli- 
cate pink  color  and  with  a  very  thin  brittle  shell." 

After  the  breeding  season  is  over  they  spend  their  time  in  the 
water,  and  as  the  cold  weather  comes  on,  bury  themselves  in  the 
mud  and  sand  of  the  bottom  where  thev  remain  until  the  follow- 
ing  spring. 

The  soft  shelled  turtle  is  highly  valued  as  food,  the  flesh  being 
delicate  and  of  excellent  flavor.  Individuals  attain  a  large  size, 
and  are  rather  readilv  shot  or  caught  with  a  hook  and  line. 

Range:  The  species  has  been  reported  from:  Michigan  (Agassiz, 
1857,  404-405)  ;  "Southern  half  of  the  Lower  Peninsula.  It  is 
frequently  met  with  as  far  north  as  Genesee  Countj^  and  in  the 
streams  of  the  eastern  as  well  as  the  western  slope  of  the  state" 
(Miles,  18G1,  p.  233),  Ann  Arbor  (Smith,  1879,  p.  7),  Eaton 
County  (Clark,  1902,  p.  193)  ;  Ann  Arbor,  Brookfleld,  Olivet-,  and 
Allegan,  Kalamazoo,  Montcalm  and  Van  Buren  Counties  (Clark, 
1905,  p.  110),  and  Cass  County  (Thompson,  1911,  107).  The  writer 
has  seen  specimens  from :  Ann  Arbor  and  Portage  Lake,  Washtenaw 
County,  White  Pigeon,  St.  Joseph  County,  Cass  County,  Kalama- 
zoo County  and  Allegan  County. 

CHELYDKA  SERPENTINA  (Linnaeus). 

SNAPPING   TURTLE. 
(PI.   VI.) 

Chelydra  serpenthia,  Sager,  1839,  301.  Smith,  1879,  7.  Clark, 
1902,  193;  1905,  110.  Kirsch,  1895,  333.  Miles,  1861,  232. 
Hankinson,  1908,  236.  Thompson,  1911,  107.  Ruthven, 
1911a,  271. 

Description:  Carapace  rigid,  covered  Avith  horny  plates,  broadly 
oval  in  outline,  rather  depressed  and  serrated  behind.  There  are 
three  moderate  keels  on  the  carapace,  one  median  and  two  lateral, 
very  prominent  in  the  young,  less  so  in  old  individuals,  the  keels 
tuberculated,  the  tubercles  with  radiating  edges.     Plastron  small. 


134  HERPETOLOGY    OF    MICHIGAN. 

leaving  most  of  the  body  exposed,  bridge  narrow.  Tail  long  and 
tapering.  Under  surface  covered  with  large  scales,  the  upper  sur- 
face furnished  with  a  row  of  large  horny  tubercles;  other  smaller 
tubercles  on  the  upper  surface  of  the  tail.  Head  large  and  flat- 
tened above,  and  with  rather  conspicuous  bony  ridges;  snout  rather 
pointed;  both  jaws  terminating  in  a  hook.  Large,  transverse, 
sharp-edged  scales  on  the  anterior  part  of  the  fore  leg.  Skin 
wrinkled  and  covered  with  prominent  warts. 

The  color  of  the  carapace  may  be  very  dark  olive,  broTNOi  or  black. 
Upper  parts  of  head,  neck,  limbs  and  tail  brown  or  black,  the  tips 
of  the  warts  and  various  lines  on  the  head  frequently  yellow  or 
brown.     Plastron  and  under  surface  generally  mostly  dull  yellow. 

Eahits  and  Hahitat:  This  is  the  largest  turtle  native  to  Michi- 
gan. True  (1893,  153)  gives  the  maximum  weight  as  twenty  or 
thirty  pounds.  It  is  extremely  pugnacious  in  disposition,  and  uses 
its  sharp  and  powerful  jaws  upon  slight  provocation.  Large  indi- 
viduals are  to  be  handled  carefully,  as  their  powerful,  keen-edged 
jaws  are  capable  of  inflicting  a  severe  injury. 

Snapping  turtles  prefer  the  quiet  water  habitats,  such  as  lakes, 
ponds  and  the  pools  of  sluggish  streams.  They  frequently  lie 
partly  embedded  in  the  mud  of  the  bottom,  snapping  at  their  prey 
as  it  comes  within  reach;  in  this  habitat  they  are  rendered  more 
inconspicuous  by  the  mat  of  algae  that  often  grows  on  the  shell. 
According  to  Newman  (1906,  150),  they  may  also  stalk  their  prey. 
They  are  carnivorous,  and,  according  to  Garman  (1893,  245), 
"their  food  consists  of  all  manner  of  small  animals,  such  as 
fishes,  frogs,  reptiles,  and  young  Avater  birds."  Hay  (1892a,  558) 
states  that  "a  large  specimen  that  I  dissected  had  in  its  intestine 
the  feathers  and  partially  digested  bones  of  a  full  grown  robin. 
The  wing  and  tail  feathers  filled  up  the  intestine.  Its  excrement 
contained  the  remains  of  a  cravfish." 

Numerous  other  authors  mention  the  food  of  this  turtle  but  the 
observations  of  Surface,  who  has  published  the  following  table, 
are  the  most  exact. 


REPTILES. 


135 


FOOD  CHART   OF  SNAPPINC   TURTLE   (C.   scrpcntiim) .* 
(Number  with  food,  19). 


Vegetation 

Algae  (low  w^ater  plants) 

Seeds,  undetermined 

Leaves,  undetermined 

AooIg  scGcis • 

Skunk  Cabbage  (Symplocarpus  foetida)  leaves 


Grass 


Animal  Matter 

MoUusca  (Snails  and  Slugs) 

Snails  (Helix) 

Pond  Snails 


Slugs 


Crustacea,  Cambarus  sp.  (Crayfish) 

Insecta 

Undetermined  Insects 

Hemiptera  (Bugs) 

Corisidae,  Corisa  sp.  (Water  Bugs). 

Pentatomidae  (Stink  Bugs) 

Diptera  (Flies) 

Larvae 

Stratiomyiid  (Fly)  Larva 

Coleoptera  (Beetles) 

Undetermined 

Water  Beetle  larva 

Hydrophilidae,  Water  Scavengers. .  . 

Dytiscidae,  Diving  beetles 

Gyrinidiae,  Whirligig  Beetles 

Vertebrata  (Vertebrates) 

Undetermined  species  (Fish) 

Pisces  (fishes)  

Undetermined  fish 

Catostomidae  (Suckers) 

Batrachia  (Frogs,  etc.),  Ra7ia  sp. .  .  . 

Ophidia  (Serpents) 

Aves  (Birds) 

Mammalia  (Mammals) 

Undetermined 

Muridae  (Mice) 

Leporidae  (Rabbits),  Lefus  sp 


No. 

Per  cent. 

.5 

26 

2 

10.5 

1 

5  2 

•> 

10.5 

1 

5.2 

1 

5.2 

3 

15.7 

19 

100 

7 

36 .  S 

4 

21.1 

o 

10.5 

1 

5.2 

12 

63.1 

0 

47.3 

<> 

10.5 

1 

5.2 

1 

5.2 

1 

5.2 

■     3 

15.7 

o 

10.5 

1 

5.2 

( 

36.8 

5 

26.3 

1 

5.2 

1 

5.2 

1 

5.2 

1 

5.2 

7 

36.8 

9 

10   5 

O 

10.5 

1 

5.2 

1 

5.2 

1 

5.2 

O 

10.5 

1 

5.2 

4 

21.1 

1 

5.2 

o 

10.5 

1 

5.2 

*From  Surface  (1908,  128-129.) 


Captive  specimens  Avill  feed  upon  pieces  of  meat  or  the  bodies  of 
mammals  and  birds.  They  grasp  the  food,  pull  it  under  the  water, 
and  swallow  it,  or,  if  too  large,  tear  it  to  pieces  by  seizing  it 
firmly  in  the  mouth  and  clawing  it  with  the  forefeet. 

On  land  a  snapping  turtle  is  a  curious  sight,  as  it  walks  with  the 
body  well  elevated  on  the  legs.  If  brought  to  bay  at  this  time  they 
do  not  retire  into  their  shells,  but,  raising  themselves  still  higher 
.on  their  limbs,  open  their  jaws  and  lunge  forward  at  the  offender 
with  a  force  that  often  destroys  their  equilibrium  and  causes  them 
to  fall  forward. 

Newman  (1906,  150-151)  records  the  following  notes  on  the 
breedino-  habits :  ^'Onlv  in  one  instance  have  I  observed  the  female 
Chelydra  during  the  nesting  process.  On  this  occasion  the  nest 
was  more  than  half  completed  when  I  first  caught  sight  of  her. 
Although  she  stopped  work  and  showed  signs  of  preparing  for  a 
retreat,  she  concluded  the  filling-in  process  in  a  somewhat  slovenly 


136 


HERPETOLOGY    OF    MICHIGAN.     • 


manner  and  then   retreated.     Tlie  filling-in  process  was  the  same 
as  that  observed  for  Graptemvs  and  Aspidonectes. 

"The  nest  was  in  gravelly  sand  on  the  side  of  a  railway  embank- 
ment,  sej^arating  the  lake  from  a  swamp.     An  examination  of  the 


Fig.  46.     Distribution  of  Chelydra  serpentina. 
Horizontal  ruling,  specimens  examined;  vertical  ruling,  reports  only. 


nest  revealed  a  broad  fnnnel  shaped  depression,  about  a  foot  in 
diameter,  at  the  apex  of  which  a  tnnnel,  about  fonr  inches  in 
diameter,  led  diagonally  into  a  wider  expansion  of  irregular  shape 
and  about  a  foot  beneath  the  general  ground  surface.  The  tunnel 
was  obstructed  b}^  a  stout  stick  and  was  consequently  turned  some- 
what  to  one  side.     In  the  expansion   and  communicating  tunnel 


^  REPTILES.  137 

were  thirty-three  eggs  scattered  irregularly  in  a  double  layer.  On 
the  whole  it  was  a  decidedly  untidy  and  i)riniitive  sort  of  nest. 

"At  about  the  same  time  of  the  month  (June  15)  several  half- 
finished  nests  were  found  in  the  same  railway  embankment  and  all 
had  the  same  general  characteristics  as  the  one  described.  I  am 
told  by  the  engineers  on  the  railroad  that  the  females  are  often 
seen  at  work  and  that  they  leave  precipitately  on  the  approach  of 
the  earlv  train. 

''The  eggs  are  spherical  with  one  hemisphere  white  and  the  other 
pinkish.  The  shell  is  very  tough,  so  that  the  eggs,  if  thrown  on 
hard  ground,  will  rebound  several  inches  without  breaking.  The 
eggs  laid  on  June  fifteenth  hatched  during  the  last  week  in 
August." 

The  flesh  of  the  snapping  turtle  is  usually  esteemed  as  food,  by 
the  people  in  localities  where  the  species  is  found.  True  (1893, 
154)  states  that  "The  snapping  turtle  is  regularly  seen  in  spring  in 
the  markets  of  Washington,  dressed  for  cooking,  that  is,  having  the 
under  part  of  the  shell  and  the  entrails  removed."  The  eggs  are 
also  often  eaten. 

Range:  The  species  has  been  reported  from:  Michigan  (Sager, 
1839,  301;  Miles,  1861,  232),  Ann  Arbor  (Smith,  1879,  7),  Hudson 
and  St.  Joseph  River  (Kirsch,  1895,  333),  Eaton  County  (Clark, 
1902,  193),  Ann  Arbor,  Olivet,  and  Barry,  Kalamazoo,  Kent,  Mont- 
calm, Ottawa,  St.  Joseph  and  Van  Buren  Counties  (Clark,  1905, 
110),  Walnut  Lake,  Oakland  County  (Hankinson,  1908,  236),  Huron 
County  (Ruthven,  1911a,  271),  and  Cass  Countj^  (Thompson,  1911, 
107). 

Specimens  have  been  examined  from  Washtenaw  County, 
Oakland  County,  Brown  Lake  and  the  falls  of  the  Sturgeon,  Dick- 
inson County,  Alma,  Gratiot  County,  Charity  Islands,  Saginaw 
Ba},  Cass  County,  in  Turtle  Bay  (Sand  Point)  and  in  lower  part 
of  Pigeon  River  in  Huron  Countv,  and  Kalamazoo  Countv. 

KINOSTERNON  ODORATUM  (Daudin). 

MUSK    TURTLE. 
(PI.   VII.) 

Emys  pemhsylvanica,  Sager,  1859,  301. 

Aromochehjs  odoratus,  Smith,  1879,  7.     Clark,  1902,  193,  1905,  110. 

Miles,  1861,  232.     Hankinson,   1908,  236.     Thompson,   1911, 

107. 

Description:    Carapace  rigid,  covered  with  horny  plates,  rather 


138  HERPETOLOGY    OF    MICHIGAN. 

narrowly  oval  in  outline,  and  considerably  arched.  Young  speci- 
mens haye  a  prominent  keel,  but  this  becomes  obscure  with  age. 
Plastron  yery  narrow  and  short,  not  nearly  filling  the  opening  of 
the  carapace,  rounded  anteriorly,  emarginate  posteriorly,  the 
anterior  part  slightly  movable  on  a  transverse  hinge  between 
the  pectoral  and  abdominal  scutes.  All  of  the  plastral  scutes  in 
the  adults  separated  b}^  areas  of  skin.  Head  large;  snout  tapering 
and  conical.  Skin  soft  and  everywhere  provided  with  fleshy 
papillae,  those  on  the  neck  in  rows,  and  two  to  four  elongated  ones 
on  the  chin  and  two  on  the  anterior  part  of  the  throat.  Several 
long  curved  scales  on  the  anterior  side  of  the  foreleg  near  the  foot, 
and  several  on  the  heel. 

The  color  of  the  carapace  in  voung  specimens  is  dull  olive  or 
brown ;  in  old  specimens  it  is  blackish  brown.  The  plastron  varies 
from  dark  yellow^  to  brownish  black.  Skin  dark  greenish  olive  to 
dark  olive  brown,  marbled  with  light  olive  or  yellowish  olive.  Two 
yellowish  lines  extend  backward  from  the  snout,  one  passing  below 
and  the  other  above  the  eye  and  ear. 

Hahits  and  Hal)ltat:  The  musk  turtle  is  quite  aquatic  in  habits, 
being  found  most  commonly-  on  the  bottom  in  ponds  and  lakes. 
The  carapace  is  very  often  covered  with  a  thick  growth  of  algae, 
so  that  it  is  difficult  to  detect  when  lying  in  a  patch  of  aquatic 
vegetation. 

Hay  (1892a,  562)  states  that  "They  lay  their  eggs  on  shores  in 
holes  that  they  have  dug  in  the  sand  with  their  hind  feet.  The 
eggs  are  from  three  to  five  in  number,  of  an  elongated  elliptical 
shape,  a  little  more  than  an  inch  long,  and  have  a  hard,  smooth 
shell."  Newman  (1906,  147-148)  records  the  following  notes  on  the 
breeding  habits :  "On  onl}-  one  occasion  did  I  have  the  good  fortune 
to  observe  Aromochelys  in  the  process  of  nesting.  When  I  first  en- 
countered the  little  "tortoise  she  was  digging  in  some  soft  soil,  using 
all  four  feet  and  her  snout.  On  my  approach  she  abandoned  her 
work  and  wandered  about  for  full}^  an  hour  trying  different  places. 
Finally  she  selected  for  nesting  a  decayed  stump  that  had  rotted 
down  level  with  the  ground.  She  dug  with  fore-feet  and  hind-feet 
a  shallow  hole  about  two  inches  wide  and  of  about  the  same  depth, 
and  deposited  two  eggs  therein.  After  covering  these  eggs  with  the 
excavated  debris,  she  w^ent  her  way.  The  form  and  Avorkmanship 
of  this  little  nest  were  of  an  inferior  order  as  compared  with  those 
of  other  species  of  tortoise  I  have  observed. 

"Specin>ens  were  captured  on  land  with  eggs  in  the  oviducts, 
ready  to  be  laid,  on  the  following  dates :  June  11,  16,  20,  22,  23, 


REPTILES. 


139 


arid  25.  In  no  case  did  I  find  more  than  three  eggs  in  the  oviducts. 
These  were  elliptical  in  form  and  nearly  as  large  as  the  eggs  of 
Chrysemys.  The  shell  is  hard  and  of  a  china-like  consistency, 
brittle  but  capable  of  withstanding  considerable  pressure." 


■•^r 


ON     OF    CANADA 


I  L  L  I  N  0    IS 


V  Z.AKE 

ERIE 


Fig.  47.     Distribution  of  Kinosternon  odoratum. 
Horizontal   ruling,   specimens   examined ;   vertical   ruling,   reports   only. 

The  same  writer  (1906,  146-147)  records  the  following  notes  on 
the  food  habits :  "I  have  caught  them  at  dusk,  crawling  about  in 
the  grass  and  have  seen  them  catching  and  eating  slugs''  (p.  147)  ; 
''They  are  the  scavengers  of  the  lake,  feeding  on  all  sorts  of  ma- 
terial, from  dead  molluscs  to  kitchen  refuse.  They  refuse  nothing 
that  could  be  construed  as  edible.    If  food  is  placed  in  the  midst  of 


140 


HERPETOLOGY    OF    MICHIGAN. 


a  group,  they  fight  over  it  like  so  many  puppies  over  a  rag,  pulling 
and  jerking  to  the  best  of  their  ability."  "Their  appetite  is  in- 
satiable and  indiscriminate.  On  one  occasion  I  pnt  a  living  rat 
in  an  aqnarium  containing  several  musk  tortoises.  Almost  imme- 
diately three  of  them  seized  it  bv  the  feet  and  pulled  it  under,  thus 
drowning  it.  Before  it  had  ceased  to  struggle  they  proceeded  to 
disembowl  it  and  succeeded  in  making  a  fairly  good  skeleton  of  it 
in  a  few  hours"    (p.  147). 

Surface  (1908,  138)  has  tabulated  the  food  found  in  the  stomachs 
of  a  number  of  specimens  as  follows: 


MoUusca 

Snails 

Insecta 

Orthoptera  (Crickets,  Grasshoppers) 

Grijllus  penusi/lvanicus 

Lepidoptera,  (Moths,  etc.) 

Larvae 

Coleoptera,  (Beetles) 

Undetermined  fragments 

Carabidae — Undet.,  (Ground  Beetles) 


Xo. 

Per  cent. 

2 

50 

9 

50 

3 

75 

1 

25 

1 

25 

2 

50 

2 

50 

2 

50 

1 

25 

1 

25 

When  captured  the  musk  turtles  emit  a  strong  odor  (not  especi- 
ally disagreeable),  open  their  jaws  widely,  and  hiss,  but  they  seldom 
bite  and  then  with  little  effect. 

Range:  The  species  has  been  reported  from:  Michigan  (Sager, 
1839,  301;  Miles,  1861,  232;  Smith,  1879,  7),  Eaton  County  (Clark, 
1902,  193),  Ann  Arbor,  Olivet,  and  Barry,  Kalamazoo,  Montcalm 
and  Van  Buren  Counties  (Clark,  1905,  110 j,  Cass  Comity  (Thomp- 
son, 1911,  107).  and  Walnut  Lake,  Oakland  County  (Hankinson, 
1908,  236).  The  writer  has  seen  specimens  from  the  following 
localities :  Washtenaw  County,  Walnut  Lake,  Oakland  County,  Cass 
County,  and  Miss  Crystal  Thompson  saw  one  in  the  Kalamazoo 
River   Calhoun  County,  in  September,  1911. 


REPTILES.  141 

CHRYSEMYS  CINEREA  (Bonnaterie). 

WESTERN   PAINTED  TURTLE. 
(PI.    VII.) 

Emijs  picta,  Sager,  1839,  301. 

CJirysentys  marginata,  Agassiz,  1857,  439.     Smith,  1879,  7.     Clark, 

1902,   193;   1905,   110.     Miles,   1861,  233.     Hankinsoii,   1908, 

23G-237. 
Clirysemys   cinerea,   Kutliven,   1911,   115;   1911a,   271.     Thompson, 

1911,  107. 

DesciHption:  Carapace  rigid,  covered  with  horny  plates,  broad 
and  depressed,  flaring  considerably  posteriorly,  and  without  trace 
of  keel.  Plastron  broad  and  flat,  immovably  attached  to  the  cara- 
pace  and  not  hinged.  Head  moderate  in  size;  upper  jaw  with  a 
distinct  notch  in  front,  and  a  sharp  tooth  on  either  side  of  the 
notch. 

Carapace  dark  olive,  brown  or  black.  The  scutes  narrowly  mar- 
gined with  dull  yellow.  Marginal  plates  prominently  marked  with 
red  as  follows :  on  the  upper  surface  narrow  cresentric  bands  often 
surrounding  (especially  anteriorly)  a  wider  vertical  band  that  is 
median  in  position  and  an  extension  of  a  similarly  situated  band 
on  the  loAver  surface.  The  last  named  band  is  the  principal  mark 
on  the  lower  surface  and  is  there  surrounded,  on  the  inner  end 
and  on  the  sides,  by  the  black  ground  color.  There  may  be  other 
light  marks  on  the  lower  surface,  but  these  are  rarely  prominent; 
the  most  conspicuous  and  perhaps  frequent  one  is  a  spot  or  short 
band  in  the  black  areas  between  the  central  bands.  (Cf.  description 
of  G.  helllL)  Plastron  yellowish  with  a  large  central  parch  of 
dusky,  which  is,  however,  never  as  large  as  in  C.  hellii  (Figs.  50- 
51).  Head  black  striped  with  ^^ellow;  neck  and  limbs  striped  with 
red. 

Hahlts  and  Hahltat:  This  is  the  common  turtle  of  southern 
Michigan.  It  may  be  seen  along  most  of  the  streams  or  about  the 
borders  of  ponds  and  lakes.  If  the  habitat  is  apj)roached  cauti- 
ously- they  may  be  seen  basking  on  logs,  muskrat  houses,  etc.,  but 
they  are  easily  alarmed,  and  quickly  scramble  ofiC  into  the  water 
and  .bury  themselves  in  the  mud  and  vegetation  of  the  bottom.  If 
undisturbed  they  soon  come  to  the  surface  again  and  thrust  their 
pointed  black  snouts  out  of  the  water. 

Hay  (1892a,  572)  states  that  the  food  "probably  consists  of  in- 
sects, tadpoles  and  other  feeble  small  animals."  Newman  (1906, 
144)  writes  that  he  has  observed  individuals  "feeding  on  dead  fish. 


142 


HERPETOLOGY    OF    MICHIGAN. 


dead  clams,  decaying-  tortoises,  worms,  meat,  and  aquatic  insects. 
They  even  capture  the  soft  and  defenseless  young  of  Aspldonectes 
[Platypeltis]  .^'  The  same  writer  describes  the  egg-laying  as  fol- 
lows :     "The  method  of  nest-making  is  essentially    like    that    de- 


Fig.  48.     Distribution  of  Chrysemys  cinerea. 
Horizoural   ruling,   specimens   examined :   vertical   ruling,   reports  only. 

scribed  for  Graptemys,  but  the  flask-like  enlargement  is  much  less 
pronounced.  This  may  be  due  to  the  smaller  number  of  eggs  laid 
and  the  consequent  economy  of  space.  The  nesting  season  is  about 
the  same  as  for  Graptemys  and  the  choice  of  nesting  places  about 
the  same.  They  lay  only  four  to  eight  eggs  that  are  strikingly  like 
those  of  Graptemys  in  color,  shape  and  character  of  shell.  In  size, 
however,  they  are  somewhat  smaller. 


REPTILES.  143 

''Like  Graptemys,  the  broods  are  sometimes  belated  in  hatching, 
so  that  a  forced  hibernation  of  embryos  results.  Many  just-hatched 
young  were  found  during  the  months  of  May  and  June." 

Range:  The  species  has  been  reported  from:  Michigan  (Sager, 
1839,  301;  Agassiz,  1857,  439;  Miles,  1861,  233),  Ann  Arbor  (Smith, 
1879,  7),  Eaton  County  (Clark,  1902,  193),  Porcupine  Mountains, 
Ontonagon  County  (Ruthven,  1901,  191),  Ann  Arbor,  Marquette, 
Olivet,  Porcupine  Mountains  (Clark,  1905,  110),  Stony  and  North 
Islands  and  Sand  Point,  Pigeon  River,  Rush  Lake,  Huron  County 
(Ruthven,  1911a,  271),  Marquette,  Porcupine  Mountains,  Ontonagon 
County  (Ruthven,  1906,  112),  Douglas  Lake,  Cheboygan  County 
(Ruthven,  1911,  115),  Cass  County  (Thompson,  1911,  107),  Walnut 
Lake,  Oakland  County  (Hankinson,  1908,  236-237).  The  northern 
peninsula  records  probably  all  refer  to  C.  helUi  and  are  not  re- 
corded on  tliB  map.  The  writer  has  seen  specimens  from  Washtenaw 
Oceana  County,  St.  Joseph  County,  Monroe  and  Douglas  Lakes, 
Cheboygan  County,  Cass  County,  Alma,  Gratiot  County,  Stony  and 
North  Islands,  Sand  I*oint,  Pigeon  River  at  Caseville,  and  Rush 
Lake,  Huron  County,  Allegan  County,  Kalamazoo  County,  Calhoun 
County,  and  Mr.  N.  A.  Wood  observed  specimens  on  Charity  Island 
in  1910. 

CHKYSEMYS  BELLII  Gray. 

BELLAS  TURTLE. 

Chnjsemys  hellii,  Ruthven,  1909,  117. 
Clirysemys  marginata  li^eUn,  Ruthven,  1910,  59. 
Chrysemys  margimata,  Ruthven,  1904a,  191;  1906,  34-112. 

Description:  Structural  characters  as  in  C.  cinerea  from  which 
it  differs  in  attaining  a  somewhat  larger  size  (large  individuals 
reaching  a  length  of  six  to  eight  inches  as  compared  with  five  to 
six  inches  in  cinerea)  and  in  color  markings.  The  ^^ellow  borders 
to  the  dorsal  shields  are  generally  narrow  or  wanting  but  are 
occasionally  as  wide  as  in  cinerea.  Costal  and  vertebral  scutes 
marked  with  faint,  irregular  light  lines.  The  prominent  markings 
on  the  marginals  are:  above;  a  median  and  two  lateral  pale  vertical 
bands,  the  median  continued  on  the  lower  surface  and  there  ex- 
tended on  the  outer  and  inner  margins  to  restrict  the  intervening 
black  area  to  a  spot  with  a  pale  center.  These  markings  may  be 
yellow  or  red.  The  dusky  markings  on  the  plastron  alwaj^s  form  a 
much  larger  blotch  than  in  C.  cinerea  (Figs.  50-51).  This  blotch 
covers  a  large  part  of  the  plastral  surface  and  send  out  extensions 
along  the  sutures. 


144 


HERPETOLOGY    OF    MICHIGAN. 


Habits  and  Habitat:  The  habits  of  this  species  are  probably 
very  simihir  to  those  of  C.  cinera.     It  is  found  in  similar  habitats. 

Range.  C.  bellil  has  been  found  thus  far  only  in  the  western 
part  of  the  northern  peninsula.     It  is  a  western  form  that  ranges 


ILLINOIS      i 


C  M  I  C  A  C  O 


70t^i-£DO 


Z,AKE      ^ 

ERIE 


Fig.    49.      Distribution   of   Chryscinys   hcUii. 
Horizontal   ruling,   specimens   examined  ;   vertical   ruling,   reports  only. 

westward  to  Oregon.  The  Michigan  localities  are :  Porcupine  Moun- 
tains, Ontonagon  County,  Brown  Lake,  Norway  and  Iron  Mountain, 
Dickinson  County  (Ruthyen,  1909,  117;  1910,  59).  The  Marquette 
record  for  cinerea  (Ruthyen,  1906,  112)  is  probably  this  form  and  is 
so  indicated  on  the  map. 


REPTILES. 


145 


Fig.    50.      IMastron    of   CJiryscinys    cinerca. 


19 


146 


HERPETOLOGY    OF    MICHIGAN. 


Fig.   51.      Plastron   of   Chryscmiis  hcJUi. 


REPTILES.  147 

CLEMMYS  GUTTATA  (Schneider). 

SPECKLED    TORTOISE. 
(PI.    VII.) 

Emys  (juttata,  Sager,  1889,  301. 
Narwrni/s  (jutiatus,  Smith,  1879,  7.    Miles,  1861,  23o. 
CJemmijs  f/uttatu.8,  Clark,  1902.  193;  1905,  110.     Thompson,  1911, 
107. 

Description:  Carapace  riiiid,  covered  with  horny  plates,  oval  in 
ontline  and  widest  behind  the  middle.  Carapace  without  a  keel. 
Plastron  large,  without  a  transverse  hinge,  and  immovably  joined 
to  tiie  carapace.  Head  of  moderate  size;  snout  not  projecting; 
upper  jaw  notched  in  front. 

Carapace  black  or  dark  reddish  brown  with  one  to  several  round, 
bright  orange  spots  on  each  scute.  The  plastron  is  reddish  orange 
and  black,  the  black  being  limited  to  large  blotches  on  the  ends 
of  the  scutes.  The  head  and  the  upper  surface  of  neck  and  limbs 
are  black  (often  washed  with  red)  with  orange  spots,  the  imder 
surfaces  orange  yellow,  the  throat  marbled  with  darker. 

Hahits  and  Hahitat:  We  have  no  notes  on  the  habits  of  this 
turtle  in  Michigan.  Ditmars  (1907,  51)  has  recorded  the  following 
observations :  ^'The  writer  has  found  many  specimens  along  brooks 
that  here  and  there  spread  into  thick,  grassy  spots.  It  is  in  this 
water-grass  that  the  turtles  delight  to  hide,  after  feeding.  The 
species  always  feeds  under  w^ater  and,  in  fact,  appears  to  be  unable 
to  swallow  unless  the  head  is  submerged.  The  food  consists  largely 
of  dead  fish  and  the  larvae  of  aquatic  insects.  Captive  specimens 
wiU  eat  the  tender  leaves  of  lettuce  if  these  be  thrown  upon  the 
surface  of  their  tank.  It  therefore  appears  probable  that  they 
feed  upon  various  water  plants  as  well,  while  in  a  wild  condition." 
Ilolbrook's  account  differs  in  some  respects  from  the  above.  He 
says  (1812,  I,  83).  ''It  lives  in  ponds,  brooks  and  rivers,  feeding 
on  such  animals  as  it  can  seize,  as  tadpoles,  young  frogs,  etc.  It 
takes  to  the  land  frequently'  in  search  of  food,  devouring  earth- 
worms, crickets,  grasshoppers,  etc.''  Hay  (1892a,  577)  states  that 
it  is  less  aquatic  than  most  of  our  turtles  but  ''seems  io  delight  in 
being  in  tlie  neighborhood  of  swamps  and  sluggish  streams,  and 
probably  s])en(ls  the  greater  ])art  of  its  time  in  the  water.'' 

The  same  writer  also  savs  "Their  food  is  said  to  consist  of  tad- 
poles,  young  frogs  and  other  ^^  eak  animals.  On  land  they  devour 
earthworms,  crickets  and  grasshoppers."  Surface  (1908,  10G-1G7) 
has  sunnnarized  his  examination  of  the  stomachs  of  27  specimens 
as  follows : 


148 


HERPETOLOGY    OF    MICHIGAN. 


Vegetat  ion 

Undetermined  leaves 

Undetermined  seeds 

Gramineae — Grass 

Animal  matter 

Annulata,  (Worms) 

Mollusca 

Snails 

Slugs 

Crustacea 

Undetermined  spp 

(iitmmarus  sp.,  (Fresh  Water  Shrimps)  .  .  . 

Cambaru.s  sp..  (Crayfish) 

Myriapoda,  (Millipedes,  etc.) 

Arachnida,  (Spiders) 

Insecta,  (Insects) 

Undetermined  fragments 

Ephemerida,  (Mayflies) 

Plecoptera — Perlidae,  (Stone  Flies) 

Odonata,  (Dragon  Flies) 

Nymphs 

Agrionidae,  (Damsel  Flies) 

Hemiptera,  (Bugs) 

Capsidae,  (Water  Bugs) 

Notonectidae,  (Back  Swimmers) 

Belostomidae 

Zaitha  jmminea 

Xeuroptera — Sialidae 

Lepidoptera 

Undetermined  Moth  larvae 

Noctuidae,  (Cutworms) .' 

Coleoptera 

Undetermined  Beetle  fragments 

Carabidae,  (Ground  Beetles) 

Dytiscidae,  (Diving  Beetles) 

Chrysomelidae,  (Leaf  Beetles) 

Undetermined 

Donacia  sp 

Scarabaeidae. 

Lachnosierna,  (June  Bugs) 

Euphoria  inda,  (Flower  Beetles) 

Macrodactylus  siibspi7iosus,  (Rose  Bugs) 

Rhynchophora,  (Snout  Beetles) 

Diptera,  (Flies). 

Undetermined  flies 

Tipulidae,  (Crane  Flies) 

Chironomidae,  (Midges) 

Scatophagidae 

Hymenoptera,  (Ants,  etc.) 

Tenthredinidae 

Ichneumonidae 

Brachonidae 

Ants 


'o. 

Per  cent. 

3 

11.1 

1 

3.7 

1 

3.7 

o 

7.4 

27 

100 

1 

3.7 

3 

11.1 

2 

7. J 

1 

3   7 

8 

29.  (i 

6 

22.0 

1 

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1 

3.7 

1 

3   7 

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27 

100 

11 

40.  S 

•J 

7.4 

3 

11  .1 

9 

33.3 

8 

-      29 .  fi 

1 

3.7 

3 

11.1 

1 

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1 

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1 

3.7 

•> 

7.4 

3 

11.1 

o 

7.4 

1 

3.7 

20 

74.0 

13 

48.1 

o 

7.4 

2 

7.4 

3 

11.1 

2 

7.4 

1 

3   7 

1 

3.7 

1 

3.7 

•7 

7.4 

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10 

37 

>> 

7.4 

1 

3.7 

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3.7 

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3.7 

1 

3.7 

1 

3.7 

"Their  eggs  are  few  in  niimbei*;  never  according  to  Agassiz,  ex- 
ceeding three  or  fonr.  They  are  about  an  inch  and  a  quarter  long, 
and  three-(inarters  in  the  shorter  diameter.  The  eggs  are  hiid  about 
the  20t]i  of  June,  in  a  i)er-pendiciihir  liole  dug  by  the  use  of  the 
hind  h\gs.  After  the  eggs  are  deposited  the  dirt  is  pushed  back 
over  the  oi)ening  so  as  to  conceal  it  entirel3\"  (Hay,  1892a,  577- 
578). 

Ranfje:  The  species  has  been  reported  from:  Michigan  (Sager, 
1839,  301),  Genesee  County,  Oakland  County,  SaginaAV  Bay  (Miles. 
18G1,  233),  Ann  Arbor  (Hmith,  1879,  7),  Eaton  County  (Clark. 
1902,  193),  Ann  Arboi',  Olivet,  and  Barry,  Kalamazoo  and  Van 
Buren  Counties   (Clark,  1905,  110).  and  Cass  County   (Thompson, 


REPTILES. 


149 


DOMINION     OF    CANADA 


I  L  LI  N  0   IS 


ERIE 


Fig.    52.      Distribution    of    Clemmys    guttata. 
Horizontal   ruling,   specimens   examined ;   vertical   ruling,   reports   only. 


1911,  107).  The  specimens  the  writer  has  seen  are  from  the  follow- 
ing localities:  Ann  Arbor  and  ^fanchester,  AVashteiiaw  County; 
Cass  Conntv,  Calhonn  Connty,  St.  Joseph  County  and  Montcalm 
County. 


150  HERPETOLOGY    OF    MICHIGAN. 

GKAPTE3IYS  GEOGKAPHICA  (La  Sueur). 

MAP  TURTLE. 
(PI.    VI.) 

Eniys  geogyapliica,  Sager,  1830,  301. 

Grapteniysi  f/cographica,  Agassiz,  18."57,  43V).     Clark,  1002,  103,  1005, 
110.     Smith,  1870,  7.     :\riles,  1861,  232. 

Description:  Carapace  rigid,  covered  with  horny  i)hites,  de- 
1  tressed  and  Aviih  a  distinct,  slightly  tubercnlated  keel  (much  more 
distinct  in  the  yonng).  Carapace  feebly  serrated  behind.  Plas- 
tron large,  nearly  filling  the  opening  of  the  carapace,  immovably 
united  to  it,  not  hinged,  and  distinctly  notched  behind.  Snont  not 
])rojecting.     Cutting  edge  of  upper  jaw  somewhat  sinuous. 

Color  of  carapace  dark  olive,  covered  with  a  network  of  greenish- 
yellow  lines  (occasionally  uniformly  dark  brown  above).  Hexid, 
neck,  limbs  and  tail  dark  green  to  black  Avith  numerous  longitudinal 
lines  of  greenish  yellow.  A  triangular  yellow  spot  behind  each 
eye.  Under  side  of  marginal  plates  pale  greenish  or  yellowish 
with  large  blotches  consisting  of  concentric  lines  of  olive  and  black 
or  brown.  Plastron  yellow,  with  brownish  bands  (frequently  ab- 
sent in  old  individuals)   along  the  sutures  of  the  scutes. 

Habits  and  Habitat:  The  map  turtle  is  markedly  aquatic,  sel- 
dom, except  during  the  breeding  season,  being  found  on  land.  In 
southern  Michigan  it  occurs  both  in  lakes  and  rivers,  but  is  much 
more  common  in  the  former.  According  to  the  observation.s  of 
Garmen  (1801,  237),  Hay  (1802a,  576),  and  Newman  (1006,  140) 
its  food  consists  principally  of  molluscs,  and  very  largely  of  the 
heavy  shelled  forms  of  the  family  Viviparidae.  The  young  feed  on 
the  thiner  shelled  ones.  Newman  writes  as  follows:  "Two  methods 
of  feeding  prevail.  The  favorite  method  seems  to  be  to  capture 
the  mollusc  when  the  foot  and  gills  are  well  out  of  the  shell,  to 
bite  off  the  soft  parts  and  leave  the  hard  shell.  To  do  this  the 
final  closure  of  the  jaws  must  be  quite  sudden.  If  they  fail  to 
secure  the  body  of  the  snail  in  this  way  they  adopt  the  crushing 
method.  The  hard  shell  is  easily  crushed  between  the  broad  flat 
jaws  and  the  broken  pieces  of  shell  are  picked  out  with  the  aid  of 
the  claws.  When  in  search  of  food  they  prowl  about  the  bottom, 
often  underneath  the  dense  vegetation.  The  heavy  growth  of  Chara 
or  Nitella  is  tunneled  in  every  direction  with  the  passageways  made 
by  foraging  Graptemys." 

Hay  (1802a,  576)  states  that  "After  a  number  had  been  kept  for 
a  few  davs  in  a  tub  there  were  found  in  it  a  large  number  of  the 


REPTILES.  151 

opercles  of  sucli  mullnscs;  and  in  the  intestines  of  one  were  the 
remains  of  a  crayfish,  some  fish  scales,  and  what  appeared  to  be 
the  cases  of  some  kind  of  caddiswoTin.  Tts  broad  masticatory  snr- 
faces  are  well  fitted  for  crushin<>'  the  shells  of  mollnscs.''  In  cap- 
tivity Ditmars  (1907,  44)  found  that  it  would  eat  ^'chopped  fish, 
meat  and  mealworms,  also  earthworms  and  various  softbodied 
grubs,  dragging  all  its  food  into  the  water  and  devouring  it  beneath 
the  surface." 

A  specimen  examined  by  Surface  (1908,  141)  had  only  crawfish 
remains  in  the  stomach. 

The  breeding  habits  of  Indiana  specimens  have  been  rather  fully 
reported  by  Newman  (1906,  140-142)  :  '"Graptemys  begins  to  lay 
very  early  in  June,  somcAvhat  earlier  than  other  species  observed. 
The  females  are  apt  to  wander  some  distance  from  the  water  for 
nesting,  seeming  to  prefer  soft,  plowed  soil  or  clear,  dry  sand  away 
from  the  beaches.  Thej'  wander  about  for  hours  in  search  of  a 
suitable  place  for  nesting.  One  specimen  started  five  nests  before 
she  was  satisfied  with  the  condition  of  the  soil.  Two  were  rejected 
on  account  of  the  presence  of  stones  and  one  because  the  sand  caved 
in  too  readily.  The  other  two  appeared  to  me  to  be  suitable  in 
every  way  and  I  was  unable  to  explain  why  she  abandoned  them. 

"If  one  expects  to  see  the  first  stages  of  nest-making  it  behooves 
him  to  be  astir  before  sunrise.  Over  half  of  the  females  found 
nesting  w^ere  encountered  before  eight  o'clock.  They  Avork  slowh* 
and  seem  to  prefer  the  quiet  hours  of  the  day,  probably  because 
they  are  less  likely  to  be  disturbed. 

"Apart  from  the  slowness  and  deliberateness  of  their  movements, 
they  Avork  much  after  the  fashion  adopted  b}^  Aspidonectes,  except 
that  they  ne\ev  Avork  the  fore-feet  so  as  to  secure  foothold. 

"The  nests  are  of  someAAhat  smaller  dimensions  and  the  flask- 
shaped  expansion  is  more  symmetrically  placed,  scarcely  more 
bulged  on  one  side  than  the  other.  Tavo  layers  of  eggfi  are  de- 
posited in  the  flasklike  expansion  but  the  last  tAA^o  or  three  egg's 
are  placed  in  the  narrow  neck,  the  uppermost  egg  being  sometimes 
only  about  tAA^o  inches  from  the  surface. 

"It  is  difficult  to  frighten  them  away  after  they  haA'e  once  de- 
cided upon  a  nesting  place.  When  surprised  they  stop  Avork  but 
soon  resume  it  and  continue  it  to  the  end,  even  Avhile  the  obserA^er 
is  in  plain  view.  The  nest  of  Graptemys  is  a  finished  product,  all 
traces  of  nest-making  being  obliterated.  This  is  accomplished  by 
dragging  the  smooth  plastron  back  and  forth  across  the  small  area 
that  had  been  disturbed  by  nesting. 


152 


HERPETOLOGY    OF    MICHIGAN. 


''The  eggs  are  ellipsoidal  in  shape,  of  a  dull  white  color,  and 
have  a  rather  soft  easily  indented  shell.  The  number  laid  by  one 
female  at  one  time  varies  from  eleven  to  fourteen. 

The  eggs  hatch,  as  a  rule,  late  in  August  or  earlj  in  September, 


.k'^ni 


sV      DOMINION     OF    CANADA 


ILLINOIS       i| 

I 

C  H   ■  C  .  C  •        g|. 


Fig.  53.     Distribution  of  Graptemys  geographica. 
Horizontal   ruling,   specimens   examined ;   vertical   ruling,   reports   only. 

the  young  burroAving  to  the  surface  through  the  sand.  When  thej 
emerge  they  are  covered  with  sand  that  adheres  for  some  time. 
Their  instinct  directs  them  unerringly  toward  the  water  and  they 
frequently  have  to  travel  almost  incredible  distances  before  reach- 
ing the  lake  or  a  tributary  stream.  On  two  occasions  I  have  found 
recently  hatched  Graptemys,  at  a  distance  of  about  a  quarter  of 


REPTILES.  153 

n  mile  from  the  water,  traveling  steadily  and  in  an  approximately 
correct  direction  toward  the  lake.  At  the  observed  rate  of  pro- 
gress they  wonld  reach  the  lake  in  about  two  days. 

^'For  some  time  I  was  greatly  jinzzled  by  the  fre(pient  discovery 
of  newl}^  hatched  Graptemys  during  the  months  of  ^lay  and  June. 
Farmers  in  the  vicinity  frequently  plowed  up  nests  of  eggs  thai 
A>  ere  nearlv  ready  to  hatch. 

'^These  facts  have  been  explained  by  the  observation  of  occasional 
specimens  nesting  during  the  latter  part  of  July.  Eggs  laid  at  that 
time  would  have  onlv  about  iive  or  six  weeks  of  steadilv  warm 
weather,  in  which  to  develop,  and  would  be  retarded  by  the  chill- 
ing of  the  ground  in  October.  Thus  the  well  advanced  embryos 
must  pass  the  winter  in  a  condition  of  dormancy  analogous  to  that 
observed  in  hibernating  adults. 

"On  no  occasion  have  I  caught  a  female  nesting  whose  carapace 
length  w^as  less  than  nineteen  centimeters  and  whose  age  was  less 
than  fourteen  years — according  to  the  age  record  afforded  by  the 
annual  growth  ring  on  the  scutes." 

Hay  (1892a,  576)  has  found  sixteen  eggs  in  a  large  female. 

Range:  The  species  has  been  reported  from:  Michigan  ( Sager. 
1839,  301;  Agassiz,  1857,  436;  Miles,  1861,  232),  Ann  Arbor  (Smith, 
1879,  7),  Eaton  County  (Clark,  1904,  193),  Olivet,  and  Barry,  Kala 
nmzoo,  Kent,  Montcalm,  Ottawa  and  Van  Buren  Counties  (Clark, 
1905,  110).  The  specimens  examined  are  from:  Washtenaw 
County,  Brighton,  Livingston  County,  Pawpaw,  Van  Buren 
(Jounty,  St.  Joseph  County,  Allegan  County,  Calhoun  County,  and 
Kalamazoo  Count  v. 

EMYDOIDEA  BLANDINGII  (Holbrook). 

BLANDING^S    TURTLE. 
(PI.    VII.) 

Emys  mclcagris,  Agassiz,  1857,  442.     Smith,  1879,  7.    Miles,  1861, 

233. 
Emydoidea    hUuidiugi,   Clark,   1902,   193,    19(15,    11(1.      Hankinson. 

1908,  236.     Ruthven,  1911a,  271. 
Emys  hlandinyli,  Thompson,  1911,  107. 

Description:  Carapace  rigid,  covered  with  horny  plates;  elon- 
gated oval  in  outline,  and  rather  high  and  convex  but  not  as  much 
so  as  in  the  box  turtle  (Terra pene  Carolina).  Plastron  large,  clos- 
ing the  opening  of  the  carapace  and  attached  to  it  by  a  ligament. 
Plastron  divided  into  two  movable  lobes,  the  hinge  line  between  the 


154 


HEKPETOLOGY    OF    MICHIGAN. 


abdominal  aud  pectoral  scutes.  Head  biuad,  snout  not  projecting- 
and  the  npper  jaw  notched  in  front.  The  lower  jaw  with  a  hooked 
tip. 

The  ground  color  of  the  carapace  is  nsnally  black  with  numerous 


Fig.    54.      Distribution    of   Emydoidea  Mandingii.  ' 

Horizontal   ruling,   specimens  examined  ;   vertical   ruling,   reports   only. 

round  or  irregularly  elongated,  pale  yellow  or  light  brown  spots. 
In  old  individuals  the  lighter  markings  may  predominate  toward 
the  margins  of  the  carapace  restricting  the  black  to  small  irregu- 
lar blotches.  Plastron  pale  yellow  to  light  brown,  the  outer  end 
of  each  scute  occupied  by  a  large  black  or  brown  blotch.  Head  and 
neck  black  or  brown  above  with  numerous  small  vellowisli  or  olive 


REPTILES.  155 

Spots;  the  miizzlo  and  sides  of  tlie  head  predominatingly  olive. 
Chin  and  throat  inmuicnlate  Aell<»w.  Le«is  olive  or  liiiht  brown  witli 
niottlings  ol'  black  or  dark  brown. 

Habits  (fiid  Hdhitat:  Little  has  been  recorded  on  the  liabits  of 
the  lUanding  turtle.  Ditinars  (11)07,  57)  writes  on  the  subject  as 
follows:  ''Althongh  fnliy  as  agile  in  the  water — in  swimming,  div- 
ing and  remaining  a  considerable  time  beneath  the  surface — as 
the  typical  pond  and  river  turtles  and  terrapin,  this  species  often 
evinces  a  desire  to  Avander  about  on  land,  and  while  it  seldom  ven- 
tures from  wet,  marshy  areas,  prowls  about  through  the  under- 
growth in  search  of  tender  shoots,  berries  and  insect  larvae,  a 
character  quite  in  opposition  to  the  feeding  habits  of  the  strictly 
aquatic  turtles  and  terrai)ins,  which  are  unable  to  feed  unless 
under  the  water.  Blanding's  Turtle  feeds  with  equal  readiness 
tipon  the  ground,  or  under  water.  Captive  specimens  are  very  fond 
of  lettuce;  they  also  feed  voracioush'  upon  earthworms,  small 
fishes,  tadpoles  and  young  frogs,  actively  pursuing  these  creatures 
in  the  water  and  seizing  them  by  a  sudden  dart  of  the  head.  Well 
fattened  specimens  are  unable  to  employ  the  hinged  plastron  to 
but  a  slight  extent  and  Avith  such  individuals  the  rear  lobe  is  quite 
useless  in  covering  the  hind  limbs  Avhicli  bulge  from  the  shell  in 
helpless  fashion." 

Range:  The  species  has  been  reported  from:  ^lichigan  (Agassiz, 
1857,  442;  Miles,  1861,  233),  Ann  Arbor  (Smith,  1879,  7),  Eaton 
County  (Clark,  1902,  193),  Ann  Arbor,  Olivet,  and  Kalamazoo 
and  Van  Buren  Counties  (Clark,  1905,  110),  Sand  Point  and  Stony 
Island,  Huron  County  (Ruthven,  1911a,  271).  Walnut  Lake,  Oak- 
land County  (Hankinson,  1908,  23G),  and  Cass  County  (Thompson, 
1911,  107).  The  writer  has  seen  specimens  from:  Washtenaw 
County,  Au  Sable  Eiver,  Oscoda  County,  Brighton,  Livingston 
County,  Walnut  Lake,  Oakland  County,  Cass  County,  Alma, 
Gratiot  County,  Sand  Point  and  Stony  Island,  Huron  County,  and 
Mr.  N.  A.  Wood  reports  seeing  one  in  the  pond  on  Charity  Island. 

TERKAPENE  CAROLINA  (Linnaeus). 

BOX   TURTLE. 
(PI.   VII.) 

Cjwtudo  claiisa,  Sager,  1839,  301.     Smith,  1879,  7. 
Clstiula  tirginca,  Agassiz,  1857,  445. 

Ten^ipene  Carolina,  Clark,  1902,  193;  1905,  110.     Thompson,  1911, 
107. 

Description:  Carapace  rigid  and  covered  with  horny  plates, 
broadly  oval  in  outline,  high,  very  convex,  and  solid.     Plastron, 


156  HERPETOLOGY    OF    MICHIGAN. 

large,  closiug  the  opening  of  the  carapace  with  which  it  is  united  hy 
a  ligament.  Plastron  divided  into  two  movable  lobes,  the  hinge 
line  between  the  abdominal  and  pectoral  scutes.  Snout  not  pro- 
jecting; the  upper  jaw  drawn  down  in  front  to  form  a  beak,  the 
lower  jaw  turned  upward  at  the  tip. 

The  colors  of  the  carapace  are  yellow  and  brown  or  black.  The 
arrangement  is  very  variable  and  either  the  lighter  or  darker  colors 
may  predominate.  The  head,  neck,  limbs  and  tail  are  brown, 
spotted  with  yellow.  The  plastron  is  also  very  variable  in  colora- 
tion. It  mav  be  uniformlv  brown  or  black,  and  the  brown  or  black 
may  be  spotted  with  yellow,  or  the  yellow  may  be  the  predomina- 
Tiug  color  and  the  brown  or  black  reduced  to  irregular  blotches. 

Hah  its  and  Hahitat:  The  box  turtle  differs  from  other  Michigan 
turtles  in  being  strictly  terrestial.  Xo  notes  are  available  on  the 
habitats  preferred  by  the  sjiocies  in  Michigan,  but  Ditmars  (1907, 
()1)  makes  the  general  statement  that  it  is  "most  abundant  in  situa- 
tions where  open,  grassy  spots  alternate  in  sparse  thickets.  The 
food  consists  largely  of  vegetable  matter  and  berries,  though  the 
larvae  of  insects  are  eaten  as  well  as  earthwoiniis  and  slugs.  Dur- 
ing the  periods  when  blackberries  ripen  many  specimens  show  un- 
mistakable evidence  of  feasting  by  their  stained  mandibles  and  fore- 
feet." 

Holbrook  (1842,  I,  34)  states  that  it  feeds  on  "insects,  crickets, 
etc.,  and  according  to  Leconte,  on  fungous  plants,  as  the  Clavaria, 
etc.  When  in  confinement  and  it  can  easil}^  be  domesticated,  it 
eats  readily  whatever  is  offered,  as  bread,  potatoes,  apples,  etc." 
Surface  (1908,  175-176)  has  examined  stomachs  of  40  specimens 
and  tabulated  the  results  as  follows : 


REPTILES. 


15- 


Vegetation 

Cryptogams,  (Flowerless  Plants). 
Fungi. 

Undetermined  fungi 

Basidiomycetes 

Mushrooms 

Bryophyta,  Moss 

Phanerogams,  (Flowering  Plants). 
Undet 


Roots . 
Buds.. 

Leaves . 
Berries , 
Seeds .  . 


Podophyllum,  pelatum  (May  Apple) 

Vitis  labrusca  (Grapes) 

Primus  sp.  (Cherry)  seeds 

Rubus  sp.  (Blackberry) 

Pyrus  sp.  (Apple) 

Osmm-hiza  sp 

Pyrula  rotundifolin 

Physalis  sp.  ((iround  Cherry) 

Gramineae,  grass 

Bird's  Wheat  Moss 

Animal  matter 

Annulata  (Earthworms) 

Mollusca  (Mollusks) 

Snails 

Slugs 

Crustacea  {Cambariis  sp.) 

Myriapoda  (Millipedes) .  . 

Insects  (Insecta) 

Undetermined  insects 

Orthoptera  (Grasshoppers,  etc.) 

Acridiidae 

Melanoplus  femur-rubrum  (Red-legged  G). 

Gryllidae  (Crickets) 

Gryllus  pennsjlvavicns  (Cricket) 

Locustidae  (Long  Horned  Grasshoppers) .  .  . 

Hemiptera  Pentatomidae  (Stink  Bugs) .  .' 

•  Lepidoptera  (Moths) 

Larvae  (Caterpillars) 

Pupae  (Chrysalids) 

Notodontidae — Datana  ministra 

Noctuidae,  larvae  (Cut  worrrfs) 

Diptera  (Flies) 

Coleoptera  (Beetles,  etc.) 

Undetermined  beetles 

Larvae  of  Beetles 

Carabidae  (Ground  Beetles). 

Undetermined  ground  beetles 

Carabus  limbatus 

Pterostichus  lucublandus 

Harpalus  cniiginosus 

Hymenoptera  (Ants,  etc.) 

Vertebrata  (Back-boned  Animals). 

Mammalia,  Muridae  (Mice) 


No. 

Per  cent. 

25 

62 . 5 

7 

17.5 

1 

2.5 

1 

2.5 

4 

10 

I 

2.5 

4 

10 

2 

5 

1 

2.5 

5 

12.5 

3 

7 . 5 

1 

2.5 

1 

2.5 

1 

2 . 5 

1 

2.5 

3 

/  .  o 

o 

5 

I 

2.5 

1 

2.5 

3 

7.5 

8 

20 

1 

2.5 

32 

SO 

2 

5 

15 

37.5 

14 

35 

2 

5 

1 

2  5 

8 

20 

24 

60 

7 

17.5 

7 

17.5 

1 

2.5 

o 

5 

1 

2.5 

o 

5 

1 

2.5 

1 

2.5 

!) 

22.5 

7 

17.5 

1 

2.5 

1 

2.5 

3 

7 . 5 

1 

2.5 

10 

25 

7 

17.5 

2 

5 

sy 

5 

1 

2.5 

1 

2.5 

1 

2.5 

1 

2.5 

Z  .  O 


The  eggs  jii-e  covered  by  a  thin  shell,  and  are  deposited  in  loose 
soil.  Acoording  to  Hay  (185)l'a,  581),  they  nninber  from  four  to 
six  and  are  laid  about  the  latter  part  of  June  or  after. 

In  winter  they  burrow  into  the  soil  to  hibernate,  and  Ditmars 
(1907,  62)  records  one  that  was  found  in  January,  buried  to  a 
depth  of  about  two  feet. 

Range:  The  species  has  been  re])orted  from:  ^Michioan  (Sager, 
1830,  :?()1;  Aoassiz,  1857,  445),  Ann  Arbor  (Smith,  1870,  7),  Eaton 
and    Montcahn    ("ounties    (Clark,    1002,   193),     Barry,     Kalamazoo, 


158 


HERPETOLOGY    OF    MICHIGAN. 


%\_    DOMINION     OF    CANADA 


ILLINOIS      ii 


Fig.    55.      Distribution   of   Tcrrapene   Carolina. 
Horizontal   ruling,   specimens   examined ;   vertical   ruling,   reports  only. 


Montcalm  and  Van  Buren  Counties  (Clark,  IDU.j,  110 j,  and  Cass 
County  (Thompson,  1911,  107).  The  writer  has  examined  specimens 
from  Battle  Creek,  Calhoun  (\)iinty.  Manchester,  A^'ashtenaw 
County,  and  Cass  County. 


REPTILES.  159 


GLOSSARY. 

Abdominal  plates.  The  anlepoimltiniato  pair  of  large  scales  on 
tlie  plastron  in  turtles.      (See  Fij>'.  25.) 

Alveolar  surface.    The  niasticatory  surface  of  the  jaws  in  turtles. 

Anal  plate.  The  large  scale  just  in  front  of  the  anus  in  snakes. 
(See  Fig.  23.)  The  posterior  plates  on  the  plastron  of  a  turtle. 
(Fig.  2.5.) 

Azygous  scale.  Occurring  singly,  i.  e.,  unpaired.  Applied  to  the 
small  plate  on  the  median  line  of  the  snout  in  Heterocfon  platjj- 
rhiiius. 

Bridge.  The  part  of  the  shell  which  joins  the  carapace  and 
plastron  in  turtles. 

Canthus  rostralis.  The  ridge  from  the  eye  to  the  tip  of  the  snout 
that  separates  the  top  of  the  muzzle  from  the  side. 

Carapace.     The  upper  shell  in  turtles.     (See  Fig.  24.) 

Cephalic  plates.  The  large  scales  on  the  top  of  the  head  in  snakes. 
(See  Fig.  22.) 

Costal  plates.  The  row  of  large  scales  between  the  marginal  and 
vertebral  series  on  the  carapace  in  turtles.     (See  Fig.  24.) 

Dorsal  scales.  The  scales  on  the  upper  surface  of  the  body  in 
snakes.     (See  Fig.  23.) 

Emarginate.     Obtusely  notched. 

Femoral  plates.  The  penultimate  pair  of  scales  on  the  plastron 
in  turtles.     (See  Fig.  25.) 

Frontal.  The  single  large  scale  on  the  top  of  the  head,  and  be- 
tween the  supraoculars,  in  snakes.     (See  Fig.  22.) 

Gular  plate.  In  turtles,  the  first  plate  or  pair  of  plates  on  the 
plastron.     (See  Fig.  25.) 

Hinge.     A  transverse  joint  in  the  plastron  in  some  turtles. 

Humeral  plates.  The  second  pair  of  scales  on  the  plastron  in 
turtles.     (See  Fig.  25.) 

Internasal  plates.  The  two  large  scales  on  top  of  the  head, 
and  between  the  nasals,  in  snakes.    (See  Fig.  22.) 

Keel.     A  ridge. 

Labial  plates.     See  upper  labials  and  lower  labials. 

Loreal  jdate.  The  scale  on  the  side  of  the  head,  between  the 
nasals  and  i>reocular,  in  snakes.     (See  Fig.  21.) 

Lower  labial  plates.  The  row  of  scales  along  the  margin  of  the 
lower  jaw  in  snakes.      (See  Fig.  21.) 


160  HERPETOLOGY    OF    MICHIGAN. 

'  Marf>iiial  platen.  The  scales  about  the  maijiiii  of  tlie  carapace  in 
turtles.     (  See  Fig.  24.) 

Xasal  ]>laie  or  ]>lates.  The  first  one  or  two  ])lat(^s  on  the  side  of 
the  head  in  snakes.  (See  Fig.  iM.)  See  also  jirenasal  and  j)ost- 
iiasal. 

Xnchal  })late.  The  small  ])late  in  the  marginal  series  at  the 
anterior  end  of  the  carapace  in    tnrtles.      (See  Fig.   24.) 

Ocnlar  plates.     See  pr-eocnlar  and  postocnhir  ])lates. 

Parietal  ])lates.  The  ])air  of  large  scales  on  the  toj*  of  the  head, 
hack  of  the  frontal  and  snpraocnlar  ]>lates,  in  snakes.  (See  Fig. 
22.) 

Pectoral  plates.  The  third  pair  of  scntes  on  the  ])lastron  in 
tnrtles. 

Pit.  The  ojiening  on  the  side  of  the  head,  between  the  eve  and 
nostril,  in  the  rattlesnake. 

Plastron.     The  lower  shell  in  tnrtles.      (See  Fig.  25.) 

I*late.     A  large  scale.     Svnonvmons  with  scnte. 

Postnasal  plate.  The  i)osterior  nasal  scale,  wlu^n  there  are  two, 
in   snakes.      (See  Fig.   21.) 

Postocnlar  ] dates.  The  series  of  scales  jnst  behind  the  orbit  in 
snakes.      (See  Fig.  21.) 

Prefrontal  ])lates.  The  i)air  of  large  scales  on  the  lop  of  tlie 
head,  jnst  in  front  of  the  frontal  and  sni)rao(iilars.  in  snakes. 
(See  Fig.  22.) 

Prenasal  ])late.  The  anterior  nasal  scale,  when  there  are  two,  in 
snakes.      (See  Fig.  21.) 

Preocnlar  ]»late  or  ])lates.  The  scale  or  scales  jnst  in  front  of  the 
orbit  in  snakes.      (See  Fig.  21.) 

Rattle.     The  dermal  strnctnre  on  the  tail  in  rattlesnakes. 

Rostral  j)late.     The  large  scah^  <m  the  end  of  the  snout  in  snakes. 

Scales.  Thin  hornv  outgrowths  of  the  skin  ^^•hich  overlax^  to 
form  a  more  oi-  less  coni])lete  investment  in  i'e})tiles.  When  large 
known  also  as  ])lates  and  scntes. 

Scale  pits.     Tiny  pores  at  the  ai)ex  of  the  scales  in  some  snakes. 

Scnte.     A  lai-ge  scale.     Synonvnnjns  with  ])late. 

Snbcandal  plates.  The  large  scales  on  the  ventral  snrface  of  the 
tail  in  snakes.      (See  Fig.  28.) 

Sn])raocnlar  ]»late.  The  large  scale  above  encli  vyv  in  snakes. 
(See  Fig.  22.) 

Temporal  jilates.  The  scales  on  the  side  of  the  head,  behind  the 
postocnlars.    in    snakes.      (See  Fig.   21.) 


Michigan   Gcolojiical    aiul 
Biological    Survey-. 


I'uhlical  ion    10;    IWology    o. 
IMate  I. 


IIL'MIDACTILILM    >^tL'JATLJI. 

FLE THODON  ER Y Tllli ONOTUS. 

NECTURU8    MACULOSVIS. 

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Mifhiuan   Goologicnl   and 
r.iolouical    Survey. 


rublicat  ion    10  :    Rioloy-v    •>. 
I'lato    \". 


RAN  A    CLAMITANS. 


Michigan   Goolo.nic-il    :iih1 
Biological    Sui-\ey. 


riililication    10:    Biology   3. 
I'latc    VII. 


.'■<:i^^m 


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77.7.'/,'  1/7;  .V  A'    CUA'OL/A.A,    DUKSAL    AND    VEXTKAI.     VIEWS. 

PLA'i  yrr.i/ri^  fiPiNiFERA.  emydoidi:  \    iilamuxgii. 

CLEMMYS     (H  'l"l'\'l'  \  .         (lll!ysEMY><    c/MUn.W.      I\  /  \()Sl  i:  I,' \  < )  \    ODOhWTl'M. 


Biological    Survey 


Plate    VIII. 


WT 


*/-i 


% 

^ 


xj:st  -VXD  i:(;r;s  of  eimeces  QiTXQiifjyFiTUi^. 


Michigan   Geological   and 
Biolocical    Survoy. 


rublication   10  ;   Biology   3. 
Plate   IX. 


A.      E  LAP  HE    ]'LLPIM8. 


B.      IIETERODON    PLATYRHIXUS. 


Michigan   Geological   and 
Biological    Survey. 


Publication    10  ;   Biology   3. 
Plate    X. 


BASGANION  CONSTRICTOR,   ON  A  LIMB  TEN  FEET  FROM  THE  GROUND. 


Michigan   Geological   and 
Biological    Survey. 


Publication   10  ;   Biology   3. 
Plate  XI. 


'i'«\|t'< 


A.       J'LATYPELTIS    SPIXIFE l^'A. 


B.      8I8TRVRU8   CATENATU8. 


Michigan  Geological   and 
Biological    Survey. 


Publication    10  ;   Biologj'   3. 
Plate  XII. 


THAMNOPHIS  SIRTALIS. 


^ 


THAM.XOI'HIS   SIRTALIi;!. 


Miclii,i;nn   Geolo.iiicnl    nnd 
r.iological    Sur\('.v. 


rul)lic;i1  ion    10;    Bioloijry    3. 
Plate    XIII. 


A.  WHITE'S  WOODS  NEAR  ANN  ARBOR.  HAP.ITAT  OF  THE  FROGS, 
TREE-FROGS,  TOAD,  SALAMANDERS,  GARTER  SNAKES,  DE  KAY  SNAKE, 
AND   MILK    SNAKE,    CHARACTERISTIC    OF   THE    REGION. 


B.      MARGIN    OF   I'OND    IN   WHITE'S    WOODS   NEAR  ANN  ARBOR,    HABITAT 
OF    DJKMICTYTJJR    VIRjnES.f:F.NR    rlanrl    form  h 


Michii^an  Geological   and 
Biological    Survev. 


Publication   10  ;   Biology 
Plate  XIV. 


A.      POND   SOUTH   OF   CASSOPOLIS.      HABITAT    OF   RANA    PIPIEXS. 


..■■  I- .v. 


B.       SHORE    OF    CHARITY    ISLAND.    SAGINAW    BAY.      HABITAT    OF    AMBY- 
tSTOMA    JEFFEh'SONIAKUM. 


Michigan   Geological   and 
Biological    Survey. 


I'ublication   10  ;    Biology   3. 
Plate   XV. 


A.      CHRISTTANN  CREEK.   CASS   COUNTY.      HABITAT   OL^  RAN  A   CATE8BEANA. 


B.      PINE    BARRENS    .\T    PORT   AFSTTX.      HABITAT    OE    TfYLA    VERSrCOLOR 

AND  Jfj:rr:i,'(}ii()\  ilatyrhinlis. 


Michigan   Geological   and 
Biological   Survey. 


rublication   10  ;    Biology   3. 
Plate  XVI. 


r-fi 


A.       CARP    RIVER,    ONTONAGON    COUNTY. 
TBIONALLS   AND    CHRYSEMY8   BELLII. 


HABITAT    OF    RAyA    SEPTEN- 


B.      POND    IN   WHITE'S    WOODS    NEAR   ANN    ARBOR.      HABITAT    OF   AMBY- 
STOMA    TIGRINUM,    A.     PUNCTATVM   AND  ACRI8    GRYLLUS. 


REPTILES.  161 

Upper  labials.  The  series  of  scales  along  the  margin  of  the  upper 
jaw  in  snakes.     (See  Fig.  21.) 

A>ntral  plates.  The  large  scales  on  the  ventral  surface  of  the 
body  in  snakes.     (See  Fig.  23.) 

Vertebral  plates.  The  median  dorsal  series  of  scutes  on  the  cara- 
pace in  turtles.     (See  Fig.  24.) 


21 


162  HERPETOLOGY    OF    MICHIGAN. 


GENERAL  BIBLIOGRAPHY. 

1857.  Agassiz.  Louis.  Contributions  to  the  Natural  History  of 
the  United  States,  I. 

1901.  Atkinson,  E.  A.  The  Reptiles  of  Allegheny  County,  Penn- 
sylvania.    Annals  Carnegie  Museum,  I,  pp.  145-157. 

1853.  Baird,  S.  F.  and  Girard,  C.  Catalogue  of  North  American 
Reptiles.     Smithsonian  Miscellaneous  Collections,  49. 

1891.     Blatchley,   W.   S.     Jour.   Cincinnati   Soc.  Nat.  Hist.,  1891. 

1903.  Brimley,  C.  F.  Notes  on  the  Reproduction  of  Certain  Rep- 
tiles.   American  Naturalist,  XXXVII,  pp.  261-266. 

1902.  Clark,  H.  L.  Notes  on  the  Reptiles  and  Batrachians  of 
Eaton  County.  Fourth  Annual  Report  Michigan  Academy 
of  Science,  pp.  192-194. 

1903.  Clark,  H.  L.  Notes  on  the  Michigan  Snakes.  Fifth  Annual 
Report  Michigan  Academy  of  Science,  pp.  172-174. 

1903a.  Clark,  H.  L.  The  Short-mouthed  Snake  (Eutainia  brachy- 
stoma  Cope)  in  Southern  Michigan.  Proceedings  Biological 
Society  Washington,  1903,  pp.  83-87. 

1903b.  Clark,  H.  L.  The  Water  Snakes  of  Southern  Michigan. 
Amer.  Nat.,  XXXVII,  pp.  1-23. 

1905.  Clark,  H.  L.  A  Preliminary  List  of  the  Amphibia  and  Rep- 
tilia  of  Michigan.  Seventh  Annual  Report  Michigan  Acad- 
emy of  Science,  pp.  109-110. 

1911.  Cochran,  Ethel  M.  The  Biology  of  the  Red-backed  Sala- 
mander.    Biol.  Bull.,  XX,  pp.  332-350. 

1900.  Cope,  E.  D.  Crocodilians,  Lizards  and  Snakes  of  North 
America.  Report  U.  S.  National  Museum,  1898  (1900),  pp. 
153-1270. 

1889.  Cope,  E.  D.  Batrachia  of  North  America.  Bull.  U.  S.  Na- 
tional Museum,  34. 

1878.  Cones,  E  and  Yarrow,  H.  C.  Notes  on  the  Herpetology  of 
Dakota  and  Montana.  Bull.  U.  S.  Geog.  and  Geol.  Surv. 
Terr.,  IV,  pp.  259-291. 

1878.     Cragin,  F.  W.     Amer.  Nat.,  XII,  820-821. 

1842.     DeKay,  J.  E.     Reptiles  and  Amphibia.     New  York  Fauna. 

1906.  Dickerson,  Mary  C.    The  Frog  Book.    New  York. 

1907.  Ditmars,  R.  L.     The  Reptile  Book.     New  York. 


BIBLIOGRAPHY.  163 

1906.     Eycleshymer,  Albert  C.    The  Habits  of  Necturus  maculosus. 

Amer.  Nat.,  XL,  pp.  123-137. 
1901.     Gadow,   Hans.     Amphibia  and  Reptiles.      The    Cambridge 

Natural  History. 

1891.  Gage,  Simon  Henry.  Life-History  of  the  Vermillion-Spotted 
Newt.  Amer.  Nat.,  XXV,  pp.  1084-1110. 

1892.  Garman,  H.  A  Synopsis  of  the  Reptiles  and  Amphibians 
of  Illinois.  Bull.  111.  State  Lab.  Nat.  Hist.,  1891,  pp.  215- 
388. 

1892.     Gibbs,  M.     Forest  and  Stream,  XXXIX,  p.  7. 

1900.  Gibbs,  M.  Herpetology  of  Kalamazoo  County,  Michigan. 
Wolverine  Nat.,  February,  1900,  pp.  12-13. 

1905.     Gibbs,  Notestein  and  Clark.     See  Clark,  H.  L.,  1905. 

1908.  Hahn,  Walter  H.  Notes  on  the  Mammals  and  Cold-Blooded 
Vertebrates  of  the  Indiana  University  Farm,  Mitchell,  Indi- 
ana.   Proc.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  XXXV,  pp.  545-581. 

1856.     Hallowell,  E.  H.    Proc.  Acad.  Nat.  Sci.  Phila.,  1856,  p.  310. 

1908.  Hankinson,  T.  L.  Biological  Survey  of  Walnut  Lake,  Michi- 
gan.    Ann  Rept.  Geol.  Surv.  Mich,  for  1907,  pp.  153-288. 

1887.  Hay,  O.  P.  The  Massasauga  and  Its  Habits.  Amer.  Nat., 
XXI,  pp.  211-218. 

1892.  Hay,  O.  P.  On  the  Breeding  Habits,  Eggs,  and  Young  of 
Certain  Snakes.     Proc.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  XV,  pp.  385-397. 

1892a.  Hay,  O.  P.  The  Batrachians  and  the  Reptiles  of  Indiana. 
Rept.  Ind.  Dept.  of  Geology  and  Nat.  Resources,  XVII, 
(1891)  pp.  409-610. 

1898.  Hodge,  C.  F.  The  Common  Toad.  Nature  Study  Leaflet, 
Biology  Series,  No.  1. 

1842.     Holbrook,  E.  North  American  Herpetology.     Philadelphia. 
1911.     Hurter,  Julius.     Herpetology  of  Missouri.    Transactions  of 
the  Acad,  of  Science  of  St.  Louis,  XX. 

1899.  Jordan,  David  Starr.  A  Manual  of  the  Vertebrate  Animals 
of  the  Northern  United  States. 

1893.  Jordan,  Edwin  O.  The  Habits  and  Development  of  the 
Newt  (Diemictylus  viridescens) .  Jour,  of  Morphology,  VIII, 
pp.  269-366. 

1895.     Kirsch,   Phillip  H.     A  Report  upon   Investigations  in  the 

Maumee  River  Basin  during  the  Summer  of  1893.    Bull.  U. 

S.  Fish  Comm.,  XIV,  p.  333. 
1878.     Merriam,  C.  H.     Science  News. 
1861.     Miles,  Manly.    A  Catalogue  of  the  Mammals,  Birds,  Reptiles 

and  Mollusks  of  Michigan.    1st    Bien.    Rept.    Geol.    Surv. 

Mich.,  pp.  219-241. 


164  HERPETOLOGY   OF   MICHIGAN. 

1874.     Milner,  J.  W.    Report  on  the  Fisheries  of  the  Great  Lakes : 

the  Result  of  Inquiries  Prosecuted  in  1871  and  1872.    Rept. 

U.  S.  Fish  Comm.,  1872-73,  pp.  1-75. 
1901.     Morse,  Max.    Batrachians  and  Reptiles  of  Ohio.    Proc.  Ohio 

State  Acad,  of  Science,  IV,  pp.  91-144. 
190G.     Newman,  H.    The  Habits  of  certain  Tortoises.   Jour.  Comp. 

Neur.  and  Psvco.,  XVI,  pp.  126-152. 

1905.  Notestein,  F.  N.  The  Ophidia  of  Michigan.  Seventh  Ann. 
Rept.  Mich.  Acad,  Science,  pp.  112-125. 

1906.  Ortmann,  A.  E.  The  Crawfishes  of  the  State  of  Pennsyl- 
vania.    Mem.  Carnegie  Mus.,  II,  pp.  343-533. 

1910.     Piersol,  W.  H.     Spawn  and  Larvae  of  Ambjstoma  jefferson- 

ianum.     Amer.  Nat.,  XLIV,  pp.  732-738. 
1868.     Putnam,  F.  W.     Do  Snakes  Swallow  Their  Young.     Amer. 

Nat.,  II,  p.  136. 
1895.     Reddick,  G.    Snakes  of  Turkey  Lake.    Proc.  Ind.  Acad.  Sci., 

1895,  pp.  261-262. 
1904.     Ruthven,  Alexander  G.    Butler's  Garter  Snake.     Biol.  Bull., 

VII,  pp.  289-299. 
1904a.  Ruthven,  Alexander  G.    Notes  on  the  Molluscs,  Reptiles  and 

Amphibians  of  Ontonagon  County,  Michigan.     Sixth  Ann. 

Rept.  Mich.  Acad.  Sci.,  pp.  188-192. 
1906.     Ruthven,   Alexander  G.     The  Cold-Blopded  Vertebrates  of 

the  Porcupine  Mountains  and  Isle  Royale,  Michigan.    Rept. 

Geol.  Surv.  Mich.,  1905   (1906),  pp.  107-112. 

1908.  Ruthven,  Alexander  G.  Variations  and  Genetic  Relation- 
ships of  the  Garter  Snakes.     Bull.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  61. 

1909.  Ruthven,  Alexander  G.  The  Cold-Blooded  Vertebrates  of 
Isle  Royale.  Rept.  Geol.  Surv.  Mich.,  1908  (1909),  pp.  116- 
117. 

1909a.  Ruthven,  Alexander  G.  Notes  on  Michigan  Reptiles  and 
Amphibians.  Eleventh  Ann.  Rept.  Mich.  Acad,  of  Sci.,  pp. 
116-117. 

1910.  Ruthven,  Alexander  G.  Notes  on  Michigan  Reptiles  and 
Amphibians,  11.  Twelfth  Ann.  Rept.  Mich.  Acad,  of  Sci., 
p.  59. 

1911.  Ruthven,  Alexander  G.  Notes  on  Michigan  Reptiles  and 
Amphibians,  III.  Thirteenth  Ann.  Rept.  Mich.  Acad,  of 
Sci.,  pp.  114-115. 

1911a.  Ruthven,  Alexander  G.  Amphibians  and  Reptiles  in  A 
Biological  Survey  of  the  Sand  Dune  Region  on  the  South 
Shore  of  Saginaw  Bay,  Michigan.  Geol.  and  Biol.  Surv. 
Mich.,  Pub.  4,  Biol.  Ser.  2,  pp.  257-272. 


^lichigan   Geological   and 
Biological    Survey. 


I'ublication  10  ;   Biology  3. 
Plate   XVII. 


A.       WOODS    OF    CHARITY    ISLAND. 
ATU8    TRIANGULUS. 


HABITAT    OF    LAMPR0PELTI8    DOLI- 


B.      DECAYING    LOG    IN   WOODS   AT   PORT   AUSTIN.      BREP^DING    PLACE   OF 
I'LETIIODON   ERYTHRONOTUS. 


BIBLIOGRAPHY.  165 

1839.  Sager,  Abraham.  Catalogue  of  ^lamnials,  Birds,  Reptiles, 
Amphibians,  Fishes,  and  Molluscs  of  Michigan.  Senate  Doc. 
State  of  Mich.,  1839,  pp.  294-305. 

1909.  Siebenrock,  F.  Synopsis  der  rezenten  Schildkroten,  mit 
Berncksichtigung  der  historischer  Zeit  ausgestorbenen  Arten. 
Zool.  Jahrb.,  Supp.  10,  Heft  3. 

1907.  Smith,  Bertram  G.  The  Breeding  Habits  of  Ambystoma 
punctatum  Linn.  Amer.  Nat.,  XLI,  pp.  381-390. 

1910.  Smith,  Bertram  G.  The  Structure  of  the  Spermataphores 
of  Ambystoma  punctatum.     Biol.  Bull.,  XVIII,  pp.  204-211. 

1911.  Smith,  Bertram  G.  The  Nest  and  Larvae  of  Necturus.  Biol. 
Bull.,  XX,  pp.  191-201. 

1911a.  Smith,  Bertram  G.  Notes  on  the  Natural  History  of  Amby- 
stoma jeffersonianum,  A.  punctatum  and  A.  tigrinum.  Bull, 
of  the  Wisconsin  Nat.  Hist.  Soc,  IX,  pp.  14-28. 

1877.  Smith,  W.  II.  The  Tailed  Amphibians,  including  the  Cae- 
cilians.  A  Thesis  presented  to  the  Faculty  of  Michigan  Uni- 
versity. 

1879.  Smith,  W.  H.  Catalogue  of  the  Reptilia  and  Amphibia  of 
Michigan.    Supp.  to  Science  News,  1879. 

1882.  Smith,  W.  H.  Report  on  the  Amphibians  and  Reptiles  of 
Ohio.    Rept.  of  the  Geol.  Surv.  of  Ohio,  IV,  pp.  633-735. 

1903.  Sperry,  W.  L.  Variation  in  the  Common  Garter  Snake 
(Thamnophis  sirtalis).  Fifth  Ann.  Rept.  Mich.  Acad,  of 
Sci.,  pp.  175-179. 

1893.  Stejneger,  L.  The  Poisonous  Snakes  of  North  America. 
Rept.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  1893,  pp.  339-487. 

1892.     Stejneger,  L.  apud  Hay,  1892,  p.  396. 

1908.  Streeker,  John  K.  Notes  on  the  Breeding  Habits  of  Phrvno- 
soma  cornutum  and  other  Texas  Lizards.  Proc.  Biol.  Soc. 
Wash.,  XXI,  pp.  165-170. 

1906.     Surface,  H.  A.     The  Serpents  of  Pennsylvania.    Zool.  Bull. 

Penn.  Dept.  of  Agri.,  IV,  pp.  113-202. 
1908.     Surface,  H.  A.     First  Report  on  the  Economic  Features  of 

the  Turtles  of  Pennsylvania.   Zool.   Bull.    Penn.    Dept.    of 

Agri.,  VI,  pp.  105-195. 
1908a.  Surface,  H.  A.     The  Lizards  of  Pennsylvania.     Zool.  Bull. 

Penn.  Dept.  of  Agri.,  V,  pp.  234-258. 
1892.     Taylor,  W.  E.     The  Ophidia  of  Nebraska.    Ann.  Rept.  Neb. 

St.  Board  Agri.,  1891,  pp.  310-357. 
1911.     Thompson,  Crystal.    Notes  on  the  Amphibians  and  Reptiles 

of  Cass   County,   Michigan.     Thirteenth   Ann.   Rept.   Mich. 

Acad.  Sci.,  pp.  105-107. 


166  HERPETOLOGY    OF    MICHIGAN. 

1893.     True,  F.  W.     Useful  Aquatic  Keptiles  and  Batrachians  of 

the  United  States.    Fisheries  &  Fishery  Industries  of  the  U. 

S.,  Sec.  I,  pp.  141-162. 
1905.     Whittaker,  C.   C.     The  Status   of    Eutaenia    brachystoma. 

Seventh  Ann.  Kept.  Mich.  Acad.  Sci.,  pp.  88-92. 
1905a.  Whittaker,  C.  C.     Variation  in  the  Blue  Racer.     Seventh 

Ann  Kept.  Mich.  Acad.  Sci.,  pp.  100-102. 

1908.  Wright,  Albert  H.     Notes  on  the  Breeding  Habits  of  Am- 
bystoma  punctatum.    Biol.  Bull.,  XIV,  pp.  284-290. 

1909.  Wright  and  Allen.     The  Early  Breeding  Habits  of  Amby- 
stoma  punctatum.     Amer.  Nat.,  XLIII,  pp.  687-693. 

1869.     Verrill,  A.  E.     Amer.  Nat.,  Ill,  pp.  158-159. 


Michigan  Geological   and 
Biological    Survey. 


Tublication   10  ;   Biology 
Plate     XVIII. 


A.       POND    NEAR    GEDDES,    WASHTENAW    COUNTY.       HABITAT    OF    RA^ 
PALVSTRIS    AND    R.    CLAMITAN^S. 


STvi^ai 

r^-m*-  "- 

immmmmmmmm 

*"  ^     ,     .y  ' 

"            1 

j 

^^^tfl^SSK  n;^.&.-^^i^yill 

^   ..'"ttf^'.'SV 


TPi*' 


i^^V!^ 


B.       UNDERGROWTH     IN     WOODS     NEAR      PORT      AUSTIN. 
PLETHODON    ERYTHR0N0TV8. 


HABITAT       O 


BIBLIOGRAPHY.  167 


MEMORANDA  TOWARDS  A  BIBLIOGRAPHY  OF 

THE  ARCHAEOLOGY  OF 

MICHIGAN. 

HARLAN   I.  SMITH. 

Victoria  Memorial  Museum,  Ottawa,  Canada. 

Abbott^  (Chas.  C).    Primitive  Industry,  pp.  270-325. 

American  Antiquarian,  Vol.  1,  1878,  p.  8,  mentions  an  embankment 
in  Branch  County. 

American  Antiquarian,  Vol.  XI,  No.  4,  1889,  p.  249,  refers  to  Sagi- 
naw Grave. 

American  Association  for  the  Advancement  of  Science,  Proceedings, 
Vol.  XXIV,  1875,  pp.  311,  316-322,  mentions  mound  in 
Wayne  County. 

American  Association  for  the  Advancement  of  Science,  Proceedings, 
Vol.  XXV,  1876,  p.  324,  mentions  mound  in  Wayne 
County. 

American  Association  for  the  Advancement  of  Science,  Proceedings, 
Vol.  XXVI,  1877,  pp.  336-337,  mentions  mound  in 
Wayne  County. 

Anderson^  (Abel).  Smithsonian  Keport  for  1879,  p.  434,  reports 
mounds  in  Newaygo  County;  p.  434,  reports  mounds 
in  Ottawa  County. 

Armstrong^  (Benj.  G.).  Early  Life  among  the  Indians.  Press  of 
A.  W.  Bowron,  Ashland,  Wisconsin,  1892,  p.  150. 

Baldwin.  Ancient  America^  p.  43-45,  mentions  copper  mines  in  On- 
tonagon County. 

Barnes^   (Chas.  E.).     Smithsonian  Report,  1879,  p.  434. 

Beauchamp^  (Wm.  M.).  a  History  of  the  Netv  York  Iroquois^ 
Bulletin  78  (Archaeology  9)  of  the  New  York  State 
Museum,  p.  396,  refers  to  Sansond's  map  of  1656;  p. 
398,  refers  to  Crenoxins'  map  of  1660,  and,  p.  400, 
refers  to  Caronellis'  map  of  1688. 

— -  Indian  Nations  of  the  Great  Lakes,  American  Anti- 
quarian, Nov.  1895,  Vol.  XVII,  No.  6. 


168  ARCHAEOLOGY  OF   MICHIGAN. 

Berrien  County.    See  United  States  National  Museum  Report,  1886, 

p.  107. 
Blois,   (John  T.).     Gazetteer  of  the  State  of  Michigan,  1838-1810 

(copyrighted  1838),  p.  165,  mentions  mounds  in  Lena- 
wee County ;  p.  168,  mentions  sites  in  Calhoun  County ; 

pp.   168-170,   mentions  sites   in   Macomb   County;   pp. 

173-177,  mentions  garden  beds. 
Boyle,  (David).     Archaeological  Report,  Ontario,  1901,  pp.  32-35, 

mentions  matter  for  comparison  with  Ogemaw  County 

enclosures. 
Archaeological     Report,     Ontario,     1903,     Toronto, 

1904,  p.  91,  mentions  perforated  skulls  from  Canada 

similar  to  those  of  Michigan. 
Brax>y,    (Samuel).     Smithsonian  Report  for  1879,  p.  434,  reports 

that  he  is  exploring  copper  mines  on  Isle  Royale. 
Branch  County.    See  United  States  National  Museum  Report  1889, 

p.  118. 
Brower,  (J.  v.).    Kathio,  Memoir  of  Explorations  in  the  Basin  of 

the  Mississippi,  St.  Paul,  Minn.,  1901,  page  opposite 

Plate  II  mentions  copper. 
Canfield^  ( ).    SketcJies  of  Sauk  County,  Wisconsin,  American 

Antiquarian,  1890,  refers  to  garden  beds. 
Carson_,  (H.  H.).   American  Antiquarian,  Yol.  IX,  No.  4,  July  1887, 

p.  237,  mentions  village  sites  in  Clinton  County;  p. 

238,  mentions  mounds,  effigy  mounds  and  garden  beds 

in   Saginaw  County,  and,  pp.  237  and  238,  mentions 

sites  in  Shiawassee  Countv. 
Catherwood,   (Mary  Hartwell).     The  White  Islander  (Indians), 

Century  Magazine,  Sept.  1893. 
Charlevoix^  (Sagard).     Voyage  au  grand  pays  des  Hiirons. 
CoFFiNBERRY^    (W.  L.)    aud  Stroxg,   (E.  a.).     Proceedings  of  the 

American  Association  for  the  Advancement  of  Science, 

Vol.   XXIV,   1875,   pp.   293-297,   describes  mounds   in 

Kent  County. 
CoNAXT,  (A.  J.).     Foot  Prints  of  Vanished  Races  in  the  Mississippi 

Valley,  p.  65,  refers  to  garden  beds.     Barnes,  says  p. 

181,  of  Nadaillac. 
Copper  Mine  in  Michigan,  Records  of  the  Past,  Vol.  II,  Part  7,  July 

1903,  p.  223. 
Copper.     See  Brower,  Detroit,  Moore,  Palmer,  Short,  Whittlesey, 

Wisconsin  Archaeologist,  Vol.  II,  No.  1,  Oct.  1902,  p. 

23. 


Michigan  Geological   and 
Biological    Survey. 


Publication   10  ;   Biolog\ 
Plate   XIX. 


MOSS    COVERED    STUMPS    IN    CADY'S    WOODS     SOUTH    OF     ANN     ARBOB 
HABITAT    OF    HEMIDACTYLIUM   8CUTATUM. 


BIBLIOGRAPHY.  169 

OopwAY^  (G.).  The  Traditional  History  and  Characteristic 
Sketches  of  the  Ojihwuy  Nation^  London,  1850. 

Courier,  see  Saginaw. 

Dan^  (John  E.).  Smithsonian  Report  1879,  p.  434,  reports  that 
he  has  in  preparation  a  manuscript  on  forts  and 
mounds  of  Macomb  County. 

Davis^  (A.  C.)  Antiquities  o^f  Isle  Roy  ale,  Smithsonian  Report 
1874. 

DoDGE^  (Byron  E.).  American  Archaeologist,  Nov.  1898,  A-'ol.  II, 
Part  11,  p.  299,  refers  to  shell-heap  on  Flint  River 
near  Richfield,  Genesee  County. 

American  Archaeologist,  March  1898,  Vol.  I,  Part 

3,  p.  78,  refers  to  supposed  bridge  across  Flint  River, 
Sec.  15,  Genesee  Tp.,  Genesee  County. 

Detroit  Evening  News. 

Detroit  Free  Press,  August  2,  1903,  mentions  copper. 

Detroit  Free  Press,  July  8,  1900,  mentions  Bert  Marsh's  Collection. 

Detroit  Free  Press,  May  1,  1901,  refers  to  grave  in  Wayne  County. 

Elsworth^  Epworth  Assembly  Quarterly,  IV,  1897,  p.  7,  refers  to  a 
site  in  Mason  County. 

Everts^  (L.  H.).  History  of  Calhoun  County,  1877,  p.  11,  mentions 
sites  in  Calhoun  County. 

History  of  St.  Joseph  Ootinty,  Michigan,  1877,  p. 

11,  mentions  sites  in  St.  Joseph  County. 

Everts  and  Abbott.  History  of  Kalamazoo  County,  Philadelphia, 
1880,  mentions  sites  in  Kalamazoo  County;  p.  65, 
mentions  garden  beds;  p.  68,  cuts  of  garden  beds  on 
W.  B.  Cobbs'  Farm  at  Schoolcraft,  also  one  at  Gales- 
burgh  and  one  in  Kalamazoo,  probably  the  one  in  the 
Park  west  of  the  mound. 

Farmer^  (Silas).  History  of  Detroit  and  Michigan,  1884,  p.  321, 
mentions  mounds  in  Wayne  'County. 

Fisher,  (A.  W.).  Cache  of  Leaf -shaped  Relics,  Popular  Science 
News,  February,  1901,  Vol.  XXXV,  No.  2,  p.  38. 

Foster,  (J.  W.).  Prehistoric  Races  of  the  United  States  of  Ameri- 
ca, p.  265,  p.  266,  mentions  copper  mines  in  Ontonagon 
County;  p.  155,  mentions  garden  beds. 

Foster  and  Whitney's  Report,  1850,  p.  162,  mentions  mines  in 
Keweenaw  County;  pp.  161-162,  notices  copper  mines 
in  Keweenaw  County;  pp.  159-161,  describes  and  fig- 
ures copper  mines  in  Ontonagon  County,  and,  p.  161, 
mentions  mounds  in  Ontonagon  Countv. 


170  ARCHAEOLOGY    OF    MICHIGAN. 

Fowler,  (8.  Vs.).  Smithsonian  Report,  1879,  p.  434,  mentions 
shell-heaps  and  sites  in  Manistee  Coimtv. 

FowKE,  (Gerard).  Copy  of  Fowke's  Report  on  Michigan.  A  care- 
fully compared  copy  made  with  permission  of  Pro- 
fessor Thomas  from  a  copy  made  by  Rev.  Wm.  M. 
Beaucham]),  of  Syracuse,  N.  Y.,  for  his  use  while  as- 
sisting in   ]>reparing  the  Thomas  Catalogue. 

Mr.  Gerard  Fowke  of  Chillicothe,  Ohio,  made  a  recon- 
naissance of  Michigan  for  the  Bureau  of  American 
Ethnology. 

Gal.\tian,  (A.  B.).     See  I.  M.  Thomas. 

GiBBS,  (Morris).  Origin  of  Mcnunds,  Popular  Science,  March,  1899, 
p.  59. 

GiLLMAN^  (Henry).  Smithsonian  Report,  1874,  pp.  369,  370,  de- 
scribes mines  in  Keweenaw  County. 

Appleton's  Journal,  Vol.  X,  1873,  p.  173,  describes 

mines  in  Keweenaw  County. 

•  6th  Report  of  the  Peabody  Museum,  pp.  13-19,  de- 
scribes and  figures  mounds  in  St.  Clair  County. 

Smithsonian  Report,  1873,  pp.  380-382,  describes  and 

fig-ures  mounds  in  Emmett  County;  pp.  378,  379,  de- 
scribes mounds  in  Iosco  County;  pp.  387-390,  describes 
and  figures  pits  in  Keweenaw  County ;  p.  380,  mentions 
with  plat  mound  in  Mackinac  County ;  pp.  382-384,  de- 
scribes with  plat  and  figures  mounds  in  Manitou 
County;  p.  380,  mentions  mound  in  Presque  Isle 
County;  pp.  370-374,  describes  and  figures  mound  in 
St.  Clair  County;  pp.  367-368,  describes  and  figures 
mound  in  Wayne  County ;  pp.  364-365,  partly  describes 
with  map  mound  in  Wayne  County. 

The  Mound-Builders  and  Platycnemism  in  Michi- 
gan-^ Smithsonian  Report  1873,  Government  Printing 
Office,  1874,  pp.  364-390,  Figs.  1-12,  some  being  maps. 

Also  reprint  1877. 

Certain  Characteristics  Pertaining  to  Ancient  Man 

in  Michigan^  Smithsonian  Report  1875,  Government 
Printing  Office,  1876,  pp.  234-245,  Figs.  1-13. 

■         Also  reprint  1877. 

■        The  Ancient  Men  of  the  Great  Lakes.    Abstract  from 

Proceedings  of  the  American  Association  for  the  Ad- 
vancement of  Science,  Vol.  XXIY,  Salem,  1876,  pp. 
316-331,  Figs.  1-7.  Read  August  16,  1875,  at  Detroit 
meeting. 


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BIBLIOGRAPHY.  171 

Perforation  of  the  Humero'us  conjoined  toith  Platy- 

cnemis7n,  American  Naturalist,  Vol.  IX,  No.  7,  1875, 
pp.  427-428. 

Grand  Rapids.  The  Evening  Press,  February  20,  1904,  refers  to 
sites  in  Kent  County. 

Handbook  of  the  American  Indians,  Bulletin  30  of  the  Bureau  of 
Ethnology,  pp.  149-150,  refers  to  Saginaw  County;  p. 
139,  refers  to  Manitou  County;  p.  58,  refers  to  Sagi- 
naw County;  p.  535,  mentions  piece  of  hafted  celt 
from  Michigan;  p.  345,  refers  to  copper  from  Michi- 
gan. 

Hauptman.     (See  Science.) 

Havard_,  (Dr.  v.).  The  French  Half  Breeds  of  the  Northtvest, 
Smithsonian  Eeport,  1879,  pp.  309-327;  p.  318,  men- 
tions Michigan. 

Haven^  ( ).    Archaeology  of  the  United  States,  contains  report 

of  Verandrier  who  explored  this  region  before  1748. 

HiLLS^  (Leslie  W.).  American  Archaeolgist,  March  1898,  p.  77, 
refers  to  a  cache  in  Berrien  Countv. 

Hinsdale^  (W.  B.).  Washtenaw  Times,  Ann  Arbor,  June  23,  1901, 
mounds  in  Washtenaw  County. 

History  of  Kalamazoo)  County. 

Holmes^  (Wm.  H.).  Aboriginal  Copper  Mines  of  Isle  Royale,  Lake 
Superior,  American  Anthropologist,  N.  S.,  Vol.  3, 
1901,  pp.  684-696,  Plates  XXIII-XXIV,  Fig.  73. 

History  of  Saginaw  County,  Michigan;  together  with  sketches  of  its 
cities,  villages  and  townships,  educational,  religious, 
civic,  military,  and  political  history;  portraits  of 
prominent  persons,  and  biographies  of  representative 
citizens.  History  of  Michigan,  embracing  accounts  of 
the  prehistoric  races,  aborigines,  French,  English  and 
American  conquests,  and  a  general  review  of  its  civil, 
political  and  military  history.  Illustrated.  Chicago, 
Chas.  C.  Chapman  &  Co.,  1881,  pp.  960.  P.  268,  refers 
to  Rifle  River  in  Ogemaw  County;  p.  287,  refers  to 
sites  in  Iosco  County. 

HoDGMAN^  (F.).  The  Old  Fort,  written  for  the  Michigan  Pioneer 
and  Historical  Society,  June  5,  1902.  Refers  to  fort 
in  Kalamazoo  County. 

Houghton^  (Jacob).  Ancient  Copper  Mines  of  Lake  Superior, 
mentions  mines  in  Ontonagon  County. 

Hubbard,  (Bela).  American  Antiquarian,  Vol.  I,  1878,  pp.  4-9, 
partly  describes  and  figures  garden  beds  in  Kalamazoo 


172  ARCHAEOLOGY   OF   MICHIGAN. 

County ;  p.  7,  partly  describes  rectangular  -and  circu- 
lar embankments  in  Kalamazoo  County;  p.  4  and  Fig. 
4,  mentions  garden  beds  in  St.  Joseph.  County. 

Memorials  of  a  Half  Century^  1887,  Copyrighted  G. 

P.  Putnam  Sons,  p.  185,  mentions  L'Arbe  Croche  Vil- 
lage Site  in  JEmmett  Co. ;  p.  203,  describes,  with  cut, 
sites  in  Macomb  County. 

Ancient  Garden  Beds  of  Michigan^  Pioneer  Collec- 
tions of  the  State  of  Michigan,  Vol.  II,  1877-78,  pp. 
21-27  and  maps  pp.  28-35,  partly  describes  and  figures 
garden  beds  in  Kalamazoo  County. 

Hubbard^  (Lucius).  Smithsonian  Eeport,  1879,  pp.  434-435,  men- 
tions mounds  in  Berrien  County. 

Huron,  see  Miner. 

Jenison^  (O.  a.).     Smithsonian  Eeport,  1879,  p.  435. 

Jenks,  (Albert  Ernest).  The  Wild  Rice  Gatherers  of  the  Upper 
Lakes,  19th  Report  of  the  Bureau  of  Ethnology,  Part 
2,  p.  1050,  refers  to  Saginaw  County  and  Bay  County. 

Jennings^  (H.  S.).  The  Michigan  Academy  of  Science,  Science 
N.  S.  XIII,  No.  329,  April  19,  1901,  p.  616,  refers  to 
papers  by  Harlan  I.  Smith  on  "An  Archaeological 
Survey  of  Michigan :  The  Antiquities  of  Michigan, 
Their  Value  and  Impending  Loss." 

JoNES^  (Joshua).  Smithsonian  Report,  1879,  p.  435,  mentions 
mounds  in  Livingston  County. 

JoNES^  (Peter).     History  of  the  Ojihway  Indians,  1861. 

Kelton^  (Dwight  H.).  Annals  of  Fort  Mackinac,  Copyrighted 
1892. 

Kinzie^  (Mrs.  John  H.).  '^Wau-Bun  the  Early  Day  in  the  NortTi- 
tvest/^    New  York,  1856. 

KoHL^  (J.  G).  ^'Kitchi-Gami  Wanderings  Round  Lake  Superior V 
London,  1860. 

La  Honton.  A^et(?  Voyages,  Vol.  I,  p.  93,  1703,  refers  under  the 
names  Otontagans  and  Ottawas  of  Talon,  to  Otonta- 
gan,  an  Ottawa  band  living  before  1680  on  Manitoulin 
Island  and  driven  out  by  the  Iroquois. 

Lapham^  (I.  A.).  Antiquities  of  Wisconsin,  p.  74,  mentions  copper 
mines  in  Ontonagon  County  and  garden  beds. 

Larmour^  (J.  J.).  Smithsonian  Report  1880,  p.  444,  mentions 
mounds  in  Calhoun  County. 

Lathrop^  (J.  H.).  Prehistoric  Mines  of  Lake  Superior,  American 
Antiquarian,  Vol.  XXIII,  No.  4,  July  and  August 
1901. 


BIBLIOGRAPHY.  173 

. Also  printed  in  Northwest  Magazine,  Feb.  1901. 

Leach^  (M.  L.).  Ancient  Forts  in  Ogemaio  County,  Michigan, 
Annual  Report  of  the  Smithsonian  Institution,  1884, 
Washington,  Government  Printing  Office,  1885,  pp. 
849-851,  with  two  maps. 

Also   reprint  in   Papers  Relating  to  Anthropology 

from  the  Smithsonian  Report  for  1884,  Washington, 
Government  Printing  Office,  1885,  pp.  11-13,  with  two 

maps. 

- Ancient  Mounds  in  Clinton  County,  Michigan,  An- 
nual Report  of  the  Smithsonian  Institution,  1884, 
Washington,  Government  Printing  Office,  1885,  pp. 
839-848,  describes  and  figures  monnds;  pp.  840-841, 
describes  and  figures  mounds  on  a  flat  in  Shiawassee 
County. 

.  Also  reprint  in  No.  620  Papers  Relating  to  Anthrop- 
ology from  the  Smithsonian  Report  for  1884,  Washing- 
ton, Government  Printing  Office  1885. 

Address  Traverse  City,  Michigan. 

Leeson,  (M.  a.).  History  of  Macoml)  County,  Michigan,  1882,  men- 
tions sites  in  Macomb  County. 

Manktelow^,  (Chas.  W.).  The  American  Archaeologist,  April  1898, 
p.  105,  and  the  American  Archaeologist,  December 
1898,  p.  323,  reports  mounds  or  earthworks  near  Boone 
and  Cadillac,  Wexford  County. 

Prehistoric  Remains  in  Northern  Michigan,  Popular 

Science  News,  Nov.  1902,  p.  289. 

Address  Cadillac,  Michigan. 

Mason,  (Otis  T.)  .  Papers  Relating  tO'  Anthropology,  1884,  pp.  4-10, 
mentions  mounds  in  Clinton  County;  pp.  11-13,  men- 
tions enclosures  in  Ogemaw  County;  pp.  1-4,  mentions 
mounds  in  Shiawassee  County. 

United  States  National  Museum  Report  1902,  p.  385, 

refers  to  Angwassag,  Saginaw  County. 

McCoRMiCK,  (W.  K.).  Mounds  and  Mound  Builders  of  the  Sagi- 
naio  Valley',  Michigan  Pioneer  Collection,  Vol.  IV, 
1881,  Lansing,  W.  S.  George  &  Co.,  1883,  p.  382,  men- 
tions sites  in  Bay  County  and  refers  to  Ogemaw 
County;  p.  379,  mentions  enclosures  in  Ogemaw 
County,  and  describes  mounds  in  Genesee  County;  p. 
380,  mentions  mounds  and  earthworks  in  Saginaw 
County. 


174  ARCHAEOLOGY   OF   MICHIGAN. 

MacLean_,  (Jno.  p.).  Moimd  Builders,  pp.  76-77,  mentions  copper 
mines  in  Ontonagon  County. 

Mallory^  (Isaac).  History  of  Baptist  Indian  Missions,  1840,  p. 
366,  mentions  mound  in  Wayne  County. 

MiDDLETON^  (James  D.).  The  Smithsonian  Report,  1889,  footnote 
on  p.  47  in  appendix  I,  refers  to  his  work  in  Michigan. 

Miner,  The  Michigan,  Nov.  1,  1901.  The  Lake  Huron  Region.  An 
early  geographical  Sketch  of  Lake  Huron  with  accom- 
panying map  of  interest.     Saginaw,   Michigan. 

■ — — Vol.  VI,  No.  2,  January  1902,  p.  12,  mentions  copper. 

MooRE^  (Charles).  The  Ontonagon  Copper  Boulder  in  the  United 
States  National  Museum,  United  States  National  Mu- 
seum Report  for  1895,  pp.  1021-1030,  with  two  plates, 
Washington,  Government  Printing  Office,  1897. 

Also  reprint. 

Moorehead^    (Warren  K.).     Prehistoric    Implements,    Cincinnati, 

1900,  pp.  23  and  307,  mentions  a  cache. 
Morse^  (Jedidiah).    Report  to  the  Secretary  of  War  of  the  United 

States  on  Indian  Affairs,  1822,  Appendix,  p.  19,  refers 

to   Saganau. 
Muir,  Michigan,   (Ionia  County).     Story    of    a   Fort   Near   Muir, 

Michigan,  Detroit  News,  Feb.  25,  1893. 

Also  reprint  in  the  Archaeologist,  Vol.  I,  No.  4,  pp. 

65-67. 

Nadaillac.     Preliistoric  America,  p.  81,  refers  to  garden  beds. 
New  York  Times,  January  9,  1908,  mentions  discovery  of  a  copper 
axe  at  Presque  Isle,  Presque  Isle  County. 

March   23,    1902,    mentions   copper   found    at   Lake 

Cogebic. 

August  10,  1902,  refers  to  perforated  skulls  found 

near  Arkona,  Ontario,  similar  to  those  found  in  Michi- 
gan. 

Oakes^  (H.  E.).  The  Garden  Beds  of  Michigan  Modeled.  American 
Antiquarian,  Vol.  XVIII,  No.  6,  November  1896,  p. 
t>2o. 

Packard/  (R.  L.).  Pre-ColumMan  Copper  Mining  in  North  Amer- 
ica, Smithsonian  Report  for  1892,  Washington,  Gov- 
ernment Printing  Office,  1893,  pp.  175  and  178,  refers 
to  Marquette. 

Also  reprint,  p.  919. 

Pre-ColumMan  Copper  Mining  in  North  America, 

American  Antiquarian,  March,  1893,  Vol.  XV,  No.  2, 


BIBLIOGRAPHY.  175 

pp.  67-78,  continued  in  American  Antiquarian,  May, 
1893,  Vol.  XV,  No.  3,  pp.  152-164. 

Palmer^  (Friend).    Early  Days  in  Detroit,  p.  247,  mentions  copper. 

Peabody  Museum,  Harvard  University,  10th  Annual  Report,  1877 
(Reports  II)  p.  20,  refers  to  photograph,  11054,  of 
stone  ornament  found  in  Fruitport,  Michigan,  pre- 
sented by  W.  L.  Coffinberry  of  Grand  Rapids,  Michi- 
gan. 

16th  and  17th  Annual  Reports,  1884,  (Report  III), 

p.  202,  articles  29476-29521  from  mound  on  Devil  River, 
collected  by  Henry  Gillman  and  presented  by  Stephen 
Salisbury. 

19th  Annual  Report,  1886,  p.  505,  38225,  perforated 

crania,  mound  on  River  Rouge  presented  by  Bela  Hub- 
bard. P.  508,  articles  from  mound  at  Grand  Rapids 
presented  by  W.  L.  Coffinberry. 

Peck^  (William  Ira).  The  Evening  News,  Detroit,  Dec.  7,  1901, 
refers  to  fort  in  Ogemaw  Countv. 

Peet^  (Stephen  D.).  American  Antiquarian,  Vol.  VII,  1885,  pp. 
23-28,  describes  and  figures  garden  beds  in  Kalamazoo 
County. 

Emblematic  Mounds,  Vol.  II,  p.  131,  refers  to  gar- 
den beds. 

Perforated,  see  Saginaw. 

Pioneer  Collections,  Vol.  II,  1877-78,  p.  45,  mentions  sites  in  Mani- 
tou  County. 

Popular  Science,  March  1899,  p.  59. 

Popular  Science  Monthly,  1881,  p.  601,  mentions  copper. 

Post,  (H.  D.).  Michigan  Pioneer  Collections,  Vol.  Ill,  1879-80,  p. 
296,  mentions  sites  in  Allegan  County. 

Riley,  (Henry  H.).  Michigan  Pioneer  Collections,  Vol.  Ill,  1879- 
80,  p.  14,  refers  to  mounds  discovered  by  Gillman  in 
St.  Clair  County. 

RoYCE.  Map  1st.  Report  of  the  Bureau  of  American  Ethnology, 
1881,  refers  to  Pocagons  Village  (Pocagon). 

Sagard,  (Theodat,  Gabriel).  Le  Grand  Voyage  au  Pays  des 
Eurons. 

Saginaw  Courier-Herald,  June  30,  1901,  refers  to  an  earthwork  in 
Ogemaw  County. 

— January   29,    1903,    mentions    mound     in     Genesee 

County. 

—        March  14,  1903,  refers  to  perforated  skull  from  Bay 

County  in  American  Museum  of  Natural  History. 


176  ARCHAEOLOGY   OF   MICHIGAN. 

Xov.  1,  1905,  Nov.  11,  1905,  Dec.  17,  1905,  and  Dec. 

30,    1905,   refers   to   graves   at   Bridgeport,    Saginaw 
County. 

May,  1907,  mentions  graves  at  Bridgeport,  Saginaw 

County. 

Saginaw  Evening  News,  June  1,  1888,  refers  to  Saginaw  Grave. 

December  31,  1902,  mentions  Edinger  collection. 

September  23,   1909,  mentions  a  grave  in  Berrien 

County. 

Saur^  (Wm.  C).  Illustrated  Atlas  of  Kalamazoo  County,  MicM- 
gari,  with  Early  and  Present  History,  Detroit,  Mich., 
1890,  p.  79,  refers  to  garden  beds. 

Schoolcraft^  (Henry  E.).  Historical  and  Statistical  Iftformation 
respecting  the  History,  Conditions  and  Prospects  of 
the  Indian  Trihes  of  the  United  States,  Lippincott^ 
Grambo  &  Company,  1851-1857,  Vol.  I,  pp.  50-54-60 
with  plates  VI  and  VII,  refer  to  garden  beds  in  the 
Grand  River  Valley. 

Science,  February  21,  1902,  p.  309,  refers  to  Hauptman  Earthwork 
in  Ogemaw  County. 

Short^  ( -) .     North  Americans  of  Antiquity,  pp.  89-92,  mentions 

copper  mines  in  Ontonagon  County. 

Smith,  (HarIvAn  L).  The  Antiquities  of  Michigan  Their  Taliie 
and  Impending  Loss.  John  F.  Elby  &  Co.,  Detroit, 
Michigan.  A  reprint  of  a  syndicated  article  which 
appeared  in  the  Detroit  Evening  News  and  the  Detroit 
Free  Press. 

Prehistoric  Michigan,   Popular   Science  News,  May, 

1901,  pp.  110-111. 

Also  reprint. 

An  Archaeological  Survey  of  Michigan,  Third  Re- 
port of  the  Michigan  Academy  of  Science,  1901,  pp. 
35-37. 

Also  separate. 

Archaeological  Survey  of  Michigan.  Presented  be- 
fore the  Michigan  Academy  of  Science  at  its  seventh 
annual  meeting,  Ann  Arbor,  March  28,  1901,  pp.  198- 
200. 

'■ American  Anthropologist,  N.  S.,  Vol.  Ill,  January- 
March,  1901.  This  paper  with  slight  changes  the 
same  as  "An  Archaeological  Survey  of  Michigan." 

Also  reprint. 


BIBLIOGRAPHY.  177 

In  Primitive  Times.    Saginaw  P^vening  News,  April 

9th,  1894. 

The  ^^aginau'  Valley  Collection,  The  culture  of  the 

people  once  inhabiting  a  limited  area  near  Saginaw, 
Michigan,  as  illustrated  by  material  in  the  Anthrop- 
ological Department  of  the  American  Museum  of 
Natural  History.  Illustrated,  2  maps,  24  pp.  Supple- 
ment to  American  Museum  Journal,  Vol.  I,  No.  12, 
November-December,  1901.     A  popular  account. 

Anthropological  Matters  in  Michigan,  read  at  the 

43rd  Meeting  of  A.  A.  A.  S.  at  Brooklyn,  N.  Y.,  1894. 

Relics  of  an  Early  Race,  Detroit  Free  Press,  Octo- 
ber 21,  1894,  refers  to  sites  in  Saginaw  and  Kalamazoo 
Counties. 

Study  of  Man,  Detroit  Free  Press,  Nov.  12,  1893. 

Legendary  Invasion  of  the  Saginaw  Valley,  Ameri- 
can Antiquarian,  Chicago,  Vol.  XIII,  No.  6,  Nov.  1891, 
pp.  339-340. 

Reprinted  under  the  title — The  Invasion  of  Saginaw 

Valley.  A  legend  of  northern  Michigan  as  told  by  an 
Indian,  Detroit  Free  Press,  Sunday,  January  3,  1892, 
p.  11,  column  4,  also  in  daily  issue  of  Saginaw  Courier- 
Herald,  Januarv  7th,  and  in  the  weeklv  issue  of  the 
same  January  14,  1892. 

The  Archaeology  of  the  Saginaw  Valley  as  illus- 
trated at  the  World's  Columbian  Exposition. 

Also  reprint. 

Voles  on  th^  Data  of  Michigan  Archaeology.  Pre- 
sented at  the  first  meeting  of  the  Michigan  Academy 
of  Science,  Dec.  26,  1894.  American  Antiquarian,  Vol. 
XVIII,  No.  3,  May,  1896,  p.  144,  part  I. 

Also  reprint. 

The  Development  of  Michigan  Archaeology.  Pre- 
sented at  the  first  meeting  of  the  Michigan  Academy 
of  Science,  Dec.  26,  1894.  The  Inlander,  VI,  8,  May, 
1896,  part  II. 

Also  reprint. 

Partial  Eeprint  in  Preservation  of  Local  Archae- 
ological Evidences,  Report  of  the  Museums  Associa- 
tion of  the  United  Kingdom.  Brighton  Meeting  for 
1899. 

Also   reprint,   1900. 

Also  reprint  Sci.  Am. 

23 


178  ARCHAEOLOGY   OF   MICHIGAN. 

Work  in  Antliropology  at  the  University  of  Michi- 
gan for  1892,  University  Record,  Feb.  1894,  pp.  98-100. 

Reprint  Courier  Presses,  Ann  Arbor,  1894. 

Also  reprint  Detroit  Free  Press. 

A71    Earthtvork    Discovered    in   Michigan,    Science, 

1901,  p.  991,  refers  to  Hauptman  Earthwork  in  Oge- 
maw County. 

Science,  1901,  p.  228,  refers  to  Hauptman  Earthwork 

in  Ogemaw  County. 

Primitive  Remains  in  the  Saginaiv  Valley^  Michigan^ 

The  Ayres  Mound,  The  Archaeologist,  Vol.  1,  No.  3, 
March,  1893,  pp.  51-53. 

Caches  of  the  Saginato  Yalley,  Michigan,  Proceed- 
ings Am.  Ass.  for  the  Advancement  of  Science,  Vol. 
XLII,  1894,  pp.  300-303. 

Also  separate. 

See  also  same  article  revised  and  extended  in  The 

Antiquarian,  Columbus,  Ohio,  Vol.  I,  Pt.  2,  Feb.,  1897, 

pp.  30-33. 
Nummary  of  the  Archaeology  of  the  Saginaio  Yalley, 

Michigan,  I,  American  Anthropologist,  N.   S.  Vol.  3, 

No.  2,  April-June,  1901,  pp.  286-293. 

Also  separate. 

^nmmary  of  the  Archaeology  of  the  Saginaw  Valley, 

Michigan,  II,  American  Anthropologist,  N.  S.  Vol.  3, 
No.  3,  July-September,  1901,  pp.  501-512. 

Also  separate. 

Summary  of  the  Archaeology  of  the  Saginaw  Val- 
ley, Michigan,  III,  American  Anthropologist,  N.  S. 
Vol.  3,  No.  4,  October-December,  1901,  pp.  726-730. 
This  article  covers  in  the  Saginaw  River  Valley,  Sagi- 
naw Countv  as  far  as  Avres  Graves  inclusive. 

Anthropological  Work  at  the  University  of  Michi- 
gan, Memoir  of  the  International  Congress  of  An- 
thropology, Chicago,  1894. 

Lyceum  Advocate. 


Smith,  (Emile).  Wrote  in  German  on  Michigan  Copper  and  also 
translated  into  English. 

Smithsonian  Report,  1897,  p.  434,  refers  to  mounds. 

1892,  p.  50,  refers  to  Holmes'  exploration  of  copper 

mines  on  Isle  Rovale. 

Squier,  (E.  G.).  Ah  original  Monuments  of  New  York,  p.  184,  men- 
tions copper  mines  in  Ontonagon  County. 


BIBLIOGRAPHY.  179 

Starr,   (Frederick).     American  Antiquarian. 

Stevens,  (Edward  T.).    Flint  Chips,  p.  540,  refers  to  garden  beds. 

Stockwell,  (G.  Archie).  Smithsonian  Report,  1879,  p.  435,  re- 
ports mounds  in  St.  Clair  County. 

_ —        Dr.  G.  Archie  Stockwell  of  Port  Huron,  Michigan, 

at  the  time  of  Mr.  Fowke's  reconnaissance,  while  hunt- 
ing extensively  in  various  parts  of  the  state,  had  been 
watchful  for  mounds  or  other  remains.  He  desired 
to  make  a  systematic  survey  of  Huron  County  and 
had  collected  many  data  regarding  Michigan  Archae- 
ology which  he  freely  offered  to  place  at  the  disposal 
of  science.  In  1894  Dr.  Stockwell  removed  to  Detroit, 
Michigan. 

Strong,   (E.  A.).     See  Coffinberry. 

SwiNEFORD,  ( ) .     History  and  Review  of  the  Mineral  Resources 

of  Lake  Superior,  mentions  copper  mines  in  Ontona- 
gon County. 

Talon.     Refers  to  Ottawas  (Otontagan). 

Teed,  (Del^iar  E.).  American  Archaeologist,  April  1898,  note  p. 
105,  assisted  Chas.  E.  Manktelow  explore  mounds  near 
Boon  and  Cadillac,  Michigan. 

Address  Cadillac,  Michigan. 

ThOxMas,  (Cyrus).  12th  Report  of  the  Bureau  of  Ethnology,  pp. 
550  and  p.  33,  refers  to  garden  beds,  describes  enclos- 
ures in  Ogemaw  County. 

Catalogue  of  Prehistoric  Earth-Works  East  of  the 

Rocky  Mountains,  pp.  106-116,  Plate  X,  and  Archae- 
ological map  of  Michigan.  Washington,  Government 
Printing  Office,  1891. 

Thomas,  (I.  M.).  and  Galatian  (A.  B.).  Compilers  as  well  as 
publishers.  Indian  Pioneer  History  of  the  Saginaw 
Valley  ivith  histories  of  East  Saginaw,  Saginaio  City 
and  Bay  City  from  the  earliest  settlements,  also  Pio- 
neer Directory  and  Business  Advantages,  1866-67. 
Published  in  East  Saginaw.  Copy  Detroit  Public  Li- 
brary. 

Thomas,  ( ) .  Kalamazoo  Directory  and  Business  Advertise- 
ments, 1867-1868,  together  tvith  History  of  Kalamazoo, 
Kalamazoo,  1867,  p.  7,  refers  to  garden  beds. 

Tippecanoe  Treaty  (1832).  U.  S.  Indian  Treaty  701,  1873,  refers  to 
Pocagon's  village    (Pocagon). 


180  ARCHAEOLOGY   OF   MICHIGAN. 

University.  Wants  University  to  Search  fm-  Prehistoric  Remains. 
Ann  Arbor  Argus  Democrat,  Ann  Arbor,  Michigan, 
February  27,  1903. 

Verandrier.     (See  Haven.) 

Ward^  (Henry  L.).  A  Remarkable  Ceremomal  Object  from  Michi- 
gan, Bulletin  of  the  Wisconsin  Natural  History  So- 
ciety, Vol.  IV,  N.  S.,  No.  4,  October,  1906,  pp.  160-161. 

Washington  Treaty  1836.  U.  S.  Indian  Treaty,  1873,  p.  607,  refers 
to  sites  in  Manitou  County. 

Washtenaw  Times,  June  26,  1901,  refers  to  graves  in  Washtenaw 
Co'untv. 

Wayerman,  Walkins  &  Co.  History  of  Cass  County,  1882,  men- 
tions sites  in  Cass  Countv. 

Wayne  County.  Find  of  Indian  Skeletons,  American  Antiquarian, 
November-December,  1894,  Vol.  XVI,  No.  6,  p.  383. 

AVest  Branch  Herald  Times,  June  14,  1901,  refers  to  wall  around 
Rifle  Lake.     Possibly  a  natural  ice  push. 

Western  Gazetteer  or  Emigrant's  Directory,  1817,  p.  170,  mentions 
sites  in  Wayne  County. 

Whitney.     See  Foster. 

Whittlesey^  (Charles).  Ancient  Mines  on  the  Shores  of  Lake 
Superior,  Contribution  to  Knowledge,  1863,  pp.  17-20, 
describes  and  figures  copper  mines  in  Ontonagon 
Countv. 

Wilson^  (Thomas).  Arroio  Points,  Spearheads  and  Knives  of  Pre- 
historic Times.  United  States  National  Museum,  1897. 
P.  980,  refers  to  caches  in  Saginaw  County  and  in 
Huron  County.  Frontispiece  represents  a  hafted 
celt  from  Genesee  County. 

Report  of  the  United  States  National  Museum,  1892, 

part  1,  p.  980,  refers  to  cache  from  Chippewa  County. 

Wilson,  (Daniel).  Prehistoric  Man.  Vol.  I,  p.  278,  refers  to 
copper   mining. 


INDEX. 


INDEX. 


A.  Page. 

Acris  crepitans 14 

gryllus 13,  14,  15,  22,  45,  46,  48 

var.  crepitans 14 

agassizii,  Nerodia 63,  96 

Ambystoma  jeffersonianum 14,    15,    21,   30,   31 

laterale 14 

luridum 14 

maculatum •• 15 

opacum 1  * 

punctatum 14,  15,  21,  27,  28,  29,  37 

tigrinum 14,  15,  21,  26,  27,  28,  29 

Ambystomidse 20 

American  toad 39 

araericanus,  Bufo 13,  14,  22,  39,  40 

lentiginosus 15 

Aromochelys 138 

odoratus 137 

Aspidonectes 131,  136,  142.  151 

spinifer. 129 

atrata,  Thamnophis 117 

Axolotl 27 

B. 

Bascanion  constrictor 64,  66,  82,  107,  109 

constrictor 107 

foxii 107 

foxii 63,  107 

bellii,  chrysemys 66,  77,  129,  141,  143,  144,  146 

marginata 143 

Bell's  turtle 143 

bilineatus,  Spelerpes 115 

blandingii,  Emydoidea.. 67,   71,   129,   153,   154 

Emys 153 

Blanding  turtle 153,  155 

Blowing  adder 67,  89 

Blue  racer 67,  91,  107,  108,  110 

Blue-tailed  skink 78,  79,  112 

Box  turtle 75,  153,  155.  156 

brachystoma,  Eutaenia 65,  116 

Eutainia 64 

Thamnophis 65 

Bufo  americanus 13,  14,  22,  39,  40 

lentiginosus 14 

americanus 15 

musicus 13 

Bufonidae 22 

Bullfrog 54,  59,  60 

Butler  garter  snake 65,  116 

butlerii,  Eutaenia 116 

Thamnophis 64,  65,  66.  82,  116,  117,  118,  119 

C. 

Callopeltis  obsoletus 90 

vulpinus , 93 


184  INDEX. 

Page. 

cantabrigensis,  Rana 16,  23,  55,  56,  66 

sylvatica 15 

Carolina,  Terrapene 129,  153,  155,  158 

carolinense,  Engystoma 105 

catenatus,  Sistrurus 63,  64,  82,  124,   127 

catenatus 124 

catesbeana,  Rana 14,  1 5,  23,  51 ,  59,  60,  61 

catesbyana,  Rana 14 

Caudata 16,  17,  18,  20 

Caudisona  tergimina 124 

Chelydra 135 

serpentina • 72,  128,  133,  136 

t'hlorosoma  vernalis 102 

Chorophilus  nigritus 14,  22,  47,  48 

triseriatus 15 

triseriatus 14 

Chrysemys 66,  129,  139 

bellii ■. 66,  77,  129,  141,  143,  144,  146 

cinerea 129,  141,  142,  143,  144,  145 

marginata 141,  143 

bellii 143 

cinera,  Salamandra 14 

cinerea,  Chrysemys 129,  141,  142,  143,  144,  145 

cinereus,  Plethodon 14,  15,  98,  105,  115 

erythronotus  .  .  .  .' 14 

Cistuda  vifginea 155 

Cistudo  clausa 1 55 

clamitans,  Rana 13,  14,  15,  23,  53,  55,  59,  61 

clausa,  Cistudo 155 

Clemmys  guttata 129,  147,  149 

Clonophis  kirtlandii 82,  100,  101 

Cnemidophorus 77 

sexlineatus 77 

Coluber  constrictor 107 

eximius 110 

heterodon 87 

obsoletus 90 

obsoletus 90 

punctatus 104 

saurita  . 113 

septemvittatus 98 

sipedon .^ -  95 

sirtalis 119 

spiloides 90 

vernalis 102 

vulpinus 93 

Common  tree  frog 41,  42 

Common  tree  toad 42 

constrictor,  Bascanion 64,  66,  82,   107,  109 

constrictor 107 

Coluber 107 

Zamenis 107 

Copper  head 1 10,  126 

crepitans,  Acris 14 

gryllus  var 14 

Cricket  frog 45,  47 

Crotalus  horridus 64 

tergiminus 121 

Crotolophorus  kirtlandii 124 

tergeminus 124 

kirtlandii 124 


INDEX.  185 

D. 

Pa?e. 

Dekay  snake '■ 83,  1 1 1 

dekayi,  Storeria 81,  83',  84,  ill 

Tropidonotus 83 

Diadophis  punctata 66,  67,  82,  104,  106 

Diemictylus  miniatus 37 

viridescens 13,  14,  15,  18,  19,  22,  36,  38 

E. 

Eastern  hognosed  snake 89 

Elaphe 81 

obsoletus 81,  90,  91,  93 

vulpinus 63,  64,  66,  81,  93,  94 

Emydoidea  blandingii 67,  71,  129,  153,  154 

Emys  blandingii 1 53 

geographiea 1 50 

guttata 147 

meleagris 153 

pennsylvanica 137 

pieta 141 

Engystoma  carolinense 105 

erythrogaster,  Natrix 64,  95,  96 

fasciata 96 

Tropidonotus 96 

erythronotus,  Plethondon 14,  18,  19,  21,  32,  33,  34 

cinereus 15,  34 

Eumeces  fasciatus 77 

quinquilineatus 63,  77,  80,  112 

Eutaenia  brachystoma 65 

butlerii 116 

saurita 117 

sauritus 113 

sirtalis  ordinatus 119 

parietalis 119 

sirtalis 119 

Eutainia  brachystoma 64,  116 

eximius,  Coluber 110 

Ophibolus 110 

F. 

faireyi,  Thamnophis 113 

fasciata,  Xatrix  sipedon 95 

Tropidonotus 96 

fasciatus,  Eumeces 77 

fontinalis,  Rana 14 

Four-toed  salamander 34,  35 

Fox  snake 67,  93,  94,  95 

foxii,  Bascanion 63,  107 

constrictor 107 

G. 

Garter  snake 65,  108,  110,  111,  112,  113,  117,  118,  119,  120 

geographiea,  Emys 150 

Graptemys 129,  150,  152 

getulus,  Lampropeltis 110 

Glass  snake 76 

glutinosus,  Plethodon 14,  15,  31 

Graptemys 136,  142,  143,  151,  152,  153 

geographiea 129,  150,  152 

Grass  snake 102 

Green  frog 53,  54,  98,  109,  121 

newt 36 

snake 105,  109 


186  INDEX. 

Page. 

gryllus,  Acris 13,  14,  15.  22,  45,  46,  48 

Rana •. 13 

guttata,  Clemmys 129,  147,  149 

Emys 147 

Xanemys 147 

H. 

halecina,  Rana 13,  14 

Helocaetes  triseriatus 14 

Hemidactylium  scutatum 15,  18,  10,  21,  34,  35 

heterodon.  Coluber 87 

Heterodon  platyrhinus 66,  81,  87,  88,  159 

platyrhinus  niger 87 

Hissing  viper 89 

Hog-nosed  snake 87 

Hog-nosed  viper 89 

horridus,  Crotalus 64 

House  snake 94 

Hyla  pickeringii 14.  15,  22,  43,  44 

versicolor 13,  14,  15,  22,  41,  42.  115 

Hylidae 22,  42,  43,  47 

J. 

jeffersonianuni,  Ambystoma 14,  15,  21,  30,  31 

Jefferson's  salamander 30 

K. 

King  snake 110 

Kinosternon  odoratum : 73,  128,  137.  139 

Kirtland  snake 100 

kirtlandii,  Crotolophorus 124 

tergeminus 124 

Natrix 100 

Regina 100 

kirtlandii,  Clonophis 82,  100,  101 

L. 

Lampropeltis  doliatus  triangulus 64,  82,  108,  110,  112 

getulus 110 

laterale,  Ambystoma 14 

lateralis,  Menobranches 14 

Necturus 14 

Leather  snake 98 

leberis,  Natrix 98,  1 12 

Regina 63,  64,  82,  08,  99 

Tropidonotus 08 

lentiginosus.  Bufo 14 

Leopard  frog 49,  98 

Liopeltis  vernalis ". 82.  102,  103.  105 

luridum,  Ambystoma 14 

M. 

muculatum.  Ambystoma 15 

maculosus,  Necturus 14,   15.   IS.  20,  23,  24.  25 

Map  turtle 150 

marginata,  Chrysemys 141.  143 

Massauger '. 124.125 

meleagris,  Emys 1 53 

Menobranches  lateralis 14 

Milk  snake 110,  111 

miniatus,  Diemictylus ; 37 


INDEX.  187 

Page. 

Mink  frog ".  59 

Mud  puppy 23 

musicus,  Bufo 13 

Musk  tortoise '. 140 

Musk  turtle 137,  138,  140 

Mutabilia 20 

N. 

Nanemys  guttatus 147 

Natrix  erythrogaster 64,  95 

fasciata  erythrogaster 96 

sipedon 95 

kirtlandii 100 

leberis 98 

sipedon 63,  64,r82,  95,  97,  112,  117 

fasciata 95 

Necturus 14,  16,  19,  24 

lateralis , 14 

maculosus 14,  15,  18,  20,  23,  24,  25 

Nerodia  agassizii 63,  96 

sipedon 96 

niger,  Heterodon  platyrhinus 87 

nigritus,  Chorophilus 14,  22,  47,  48 

Northern  frog 57,  59 

Northern  wood  frog 56 

Notophthalmus  viridescens 14 

O. 

obsoletus,  Callopeltis 90 

Coluber 90 

obsoletus 90 

Elaphe ' 81,  90.  91,  93 

occipitomaculata,  Storeria 81,  85,  86,  105,  111 

odoratum,  Kinosternon 73,  128,  137,  139 

odoratus,  Aromochelys 137 

opacum.  Ambystoma 14 

Ophibolus  doliatus  triangulus 110 

eximius 110 

triangulus 110 

Ophiosaurus  ventralis 76 

ordinatus,  Eutaenia  sirtalis 119 

ordinoides,  Thamnophis 117 

Osceola  doliata  triangula •  •  •  •  HO 

P. 

palustris,  Rana 13,  14,  15,  23,  51,  52,  53 

parietalis,  Eutaenia  sirtalis 119 

Thamnophis 121 

sirtalis '■ 65,  119 

pennsylvanica,  Emys 137 

Pickerel  frog 51 ,  53 

pickeringii,  Hyla 14,  15,  22.  43,  44 

picta,  Emvs 141 

Pilot  snake 67,  90,  91,  92 

pipiens,  Rana 13,  14,  15,  22,  41).  50.  51,  52,  53,  59 

Platypeltis 142 

spinifera 76,  128,  129,  132 

platyrhinus,  Heterodon 66.  81.  87,  88,  159 

Plestiodon  vittigerum 63,  77 

Plethodon ^^ 

cinereus 14,  15,  34,  98,  105,  115 

ervthronotus 15,  34 

erythrcnotus 14.  18,  19,  31,  32,  3.3,  34 

glutinosus 14,  15,  31 


188  INDEX. 

Page. 

Plethodontidse 21 

Proteidje 20 

proximus,  Thamnophis 114 

punctata,  Diadophis 66,  67,  82,  104,  106 

punctatura,  Ambystoma 14,  15,  21,  27,  28,  29,  37 

punctatus,  Coluber 104 

Q. 

Queen  snake 112 

quinquilineatus,  Eumeces 63,  77,  112 

R. 

Rana  cantabrigensis 16,  23,  55,  56,  66 

catesbeana 14,  15,  23,  51,  59,  60,  61 

catesbyana 14 

clamitans 13,   14,   15,  23,  53,   55,  59,  61,   121 

fontinalis 14 

gryllus 13 

halecina 13,  14 

palustris 13,  14,  15,  23,  51,  52,  53 

pipiens 13,  14,  15,  22,  49,  50,  51,  52,  53,  59 

septentrionalis 15,  23,  57,  58,  66 

sylvatica 13,  14,  15,  16 

cantabrigensis 15 

temporaria  var.  sylvatica 14 

Ranidae 22,  49,  50,  57 

Rattle  snake 67,  74,  93,  110,  124,  125,  126 

Red-backed  salamander 32 

Red-bellied  snake 84,  85,  86,  105,  111 

Regina  kirtlandii 100 

leberis 63,  64,  82,  98,  99 

Ribbon  snake 113,  115 

Ring-necked  snake 104,  105,  106 

S. 

sackenii,  Thamnophis 114,  115 

Salamandra  cinera 14 

symetrica 13 

Salamandridae 22 

Salientia 16,  17,  22 

Sauria 77 

saurita,  Coluber 113 

Eutaenia 117 

Thamnophis :..  113 

sauritus,  Eutaenia 113 

Thamnophis 66,  82,  113,  114,  115 

Scotophis  vulpinus 93 

scutatum,  Hemidactylium .  .15,  18,  19,  21,  34,  35 

septemvittatus.  Coluber 98 

septentrionalis,  Rana 15,  23,  57,  58,  66 

Serpentes 77,81 

serpentina,  Chelydra 72,  128,  133,  136 

sexlineatus,  Cenemidophorus 77 

sioedon.  Coluber 95 

Natrix 63,  64,  82,  95,  97,  112,  117 

fasciata 95 

Nerodia 96 

Tropidonotus 95 

sirtalis.  Coluber 119 

Eutaenia  sirtalis 119 

Thamnophis 65,  66,  82,  117,  119,  121,  123- 

sirtalis 119 


INDEX.  189 

Page. 

Sistrurus  catenatus 63,  64,  82,  124,  127 

catenatus 124 

Snapping  turtle 133,   134,   135,   137 

Soft-shelled  turtle 76,  129,   130,  131,  133 

Speckled  tortoise 147 

Spelerpes  bilineatus Ho 

spiloides.  Coluber 90 

spinifer,  Aspidonectes 129 

spinifera,  Platypeltis 76,  128,  129,  132 

spiniferus,  Trionyx 129 

Spotted  salamander 28 

Spring  peeper 43 

Squamata 77,  81 

Storeria 81,  107 

dekayi .• 63,  81,  83,  84,  111 

occipitomaculata 81,  85,  86,  105,  111 

Swamp  tree  frog 47 

Swift : 112 

sylvatica,  Rana 13,  14,  15,  16 

temporaria  var 14 

symetrica.  Salamandra 13 

T. 

tergeminus,  Crotolophorus 124 

tergimina,  Caudisona 124 

tergiminus,  Crotalus 124 

Terrapene  Carolina 129,  153,  155,  158 

Testudinata 77,  128 

Thamnophis 82 

atrata '. 117 

brachystoma 65 

butleri 64,  65,  66,  82,   116,  117,  118,  119 

faireyi 113 

ordinoides 117 

parietalis 121 

sackenii ••  •  •    114,  115 

saurita 113 

sauritus 66,  82,  113,  114,  115 

sirtalis 65,  66,  82,  117,  119,  121,  123 

parietalis 65.  119 

sirtalis 119 

Tiger  salamander 26 

tigrinum,  Ambystoma .  .14,  15,  21.  26,  27,  28,  29 

triangula,  Osceola  doliata 110 

triangulus,  Lampropeltis  doliatus 64,  82,  108,  110,  112 

Ophibolus 110 

doliatus 110 

Trionyx  spiniferus 129 

triseriatus,  Helocaetes 14 

Chorophilus 14 

nigritus 15 

Tropidonotus  dekayi 83 

erythrogaster 96 

fasciata 96 

leberis 98 

sipedon 95 

V. 

ventralis,  Ophiosaurus 76 

vernalis,  Chlorosoma 102 

Coluber .  102 

Liopeltis 82.  102,  103.  105 


190  INDEX. 

Page. 

versicolor,  Hyla 13,  14,  1.5.  22,  41,  42,  115 

virginea,  Cistuda .  155 

viridescens,  Diemictylus 13,  14,  15,  18,  19,  22,  36,  38 

Notopthalmus 14 

vittigerura,  Pleistodon 63,  77 

vulpinus,  Callopeltis 93 

Coluber 93 

Elaphe 63,  64,  66.  81,  93,  94 

Scotophis • 93 

W. 

Water  snake 64,  95,  98,  109 

Western  painted  turtle 141 

Wood  frog 16,  55,  57,  66,  92,  109 

Z. 

Zamenis  constrictor 107 


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